Advehnt Guard - Grobber Brentwood

Grobber woke up in his bed.

Grobber reaches off of his bed to grab the bong. He'll fill it, sit up against the wall, and get high. (TRULY NOBODY COULD SEE THIS COMING.) Then he'll look outside. What time is it?

Looks like very early morning.

He makes a noise that sounds like a door creaking open, then he leans back and rubs his eyes. He goes to his computer and sits down, then begins playing Genshin Impact for the PC™️

2:13 PM

Are his dailies anything notable?

There’s no such thing as Genshin "Impact". The universe is pretty confused at what Grobber means here.

oh fuck what was it called

2:18 PM

genshin gay baby jail

2:18 PM

that was ti

The new Genshin Gay Baby Jail dailies require reading the entirety of the "meme girls"!Twitter account.

"Mmmf...."

2:28 PM

The Fungus loses interest. He goes to his kitchen and he looks outside the kitchen window.

Same as before.

He pours himself a glass of water that he holds as he walks laps around the kitchen table. He is very, very bored.

2:34 PM

After finishing his water, he moves the glass to the middle of the table before resting his forehead on the edge.

2:35 PM

"Ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts ts" He clicks his tongue up and down

2:36 PM

He kicks one of the table legs underneath him before getting back up.

2:37 PM

He goes back to his roomand gets in his chair, where he spinds around in his chair for a few minutes

2:40 PM

He stands back up and goes to watch some TV.

2:45 PM

Okay he goes back to his computer and looks at twitter

He finishes looking at the twitter account and stands up

3:32 PM

He sits back down and keeps on browsing random twitter pages

He stands back up and smokes again

3:53 PM

Then he eats whatever crap he can find in the kitchen.

There’s probably some stuff left from yesterday.

Cool Grobber will eat that then

Grobber sits down and kicks the table leg a few more times

Grobber goes back to his computer and browses twitter some more.

((The universe recalls Atmey's famous quote "I really need to rely on Grobber to make some parts interesting". This vague hint could truly mean anything about the flow of early Grobber’s story.)) (edited)

okay when I read that I thought it meant that a lot of what happens to grobber isn't going to be the most compelling by itself and that I would have to really use my writing chops to turn these wacky situations into gold i did not realize there would be some times where I would just have to. make a chapter hm

5:20 PM

This is extra sticky because Grobber actively never wants to leave his house and also detests doing novel things in general

5:20 PM

hm hm hm

5:20 PM

my thinking cap is on

((The entirety of the chapter is not Nothing(trademark of Haruka) but like for the character of a guy who is miserable and does fucking nothing I thought it’d be funny to do slowburn misery before the plot fully gets going on his end))

5:21 PM

((I suppose i underestimated my talents at hinting this was the plan, my apologies))

I thought that might have been what was happening but then you were like "btw sorry i unpaused some people but they can't do anything because of absences" and i was like oh okay who else could this be besides me

5:22 PM

NP, carry on

5:22 PM

((no NP is the other dm))

The Fungus ruffles around in his room for a microphone and webcam- he has two of professional grade he purchased a while ago. He sets them up on his desk, knocking off cans of drinks, and begins to record himself.

5:35 PM

"You know, I fucking- I fucking hate Belto Shelk."

5:36 PM

"How f-fucking pathetic do you have to b-be to go and just solicit bullshit all day. Like he's"

5:37 PM

"He's constantly going on these stories, these rambles."

5:38 PM

"You see, y- you see a lot of people say that he's some sort of senile idiot but I think he's even worse than that. he's- he's"

5:38 PM

"Sorry I've gotta take a hit-"

5:38 PM

He takes a hit off of a pipe.

5:40 PM

"He's just a pathetic f-fucking loser, like. He wants to be seen as this sagely fucking guy, and he goes on these awful, fucking, terrible stories about shit that nobody cares about. WIth just some bullshit, like, some bullshit relatable speak."

5:41 PM

"It's so obvious that he's just some fucking- he's just some average joe asshole. That's what he is, he's an average joe. H-he's nothing special. Just some ugly lame ass average joe who's trying to make himself seem like a character. LIke something else. But he's not, he's just some loser."

5:42 PM

"I h-hate when he makes some bullshit rehearsed comment in an interview, some rehearsed joke that he plays off like h-he hasn't rehearsed that in his head a hundred times or some shit."

5:43 PM

"I hate when he retweets awful anime jokes like he understands any kind of comedy, or he's watched any anime besides the poser mainstream garbage that they try and sell you."

5:44 PM

"He tries to make himself seem so quirky, but h-he still comes off as some white bread average joe piece of shit."

5:44 PM

"I mean, people complain about Shuichi Maozi-"

5:44 PM

"Oh fuck, ummm..."

5:44 PM

"People complain about that Shuichi guy, but at least, like, the shit that Shuichi says is-"

5:45 PM

"It's so bad, it's like, its obvious that no fucking human besides that guy could look at the shit he does and think it's a good idea."

5:45 PM

"Like, he has a personality that I can believe in, like"

5:46 PM

"But Belto Shelk is just nothing. Everything he says is just some fake, phony bullshit that they're trying to sell off to make himself seem more endearing."

5:46 PM

"What a f-fucking embarrasment."

5:46 PM

His voice gets louder.

5:46 PM

"What a fucking embarrasment! I fucking-"

5:47 PM

"Man they'll try and tell you about him, and he's"

5:47 PM

"he's, ooh... He's just an asshole! And people look at him and he gets this fucking applause wherever he goes, it's all fake- it's fake courtesy bullshit! Goddamn it!"

5:48 PM

"I hate- I hate how he-"

5:48 PM

The Fungus takes a few moments to breathe.

5:49 PM

"Anyway, that's just- that's just my thoughts on Belto Shelk."

5:49 PM

"I just hate that kind of guy, everyone."

5:49 PM

"Anyway, I'm gonna start recording all this shit from now on."

5:50 PM

"I feel like, you know, I feel like I'm a person with a lot of really good ideas, and people are stupid, and, like- it would be good just to like, explain how bullshit some stuff is."

5:50 PM

"So... um... Like, Comment, and Subscribe, assholes."

5:51 PM

He titles the video "The TRUTH about Belto Shelk - The 'Average Joe' of America" and uploads it to a video hosting website, then smiles. (edited)

5:53 PM

He titles his channel "Mycotoxic4334"

He immediately gets a comment from BigBeltoShelkFan: "You just hate him because he’s hotter than you"

Grobber's lower eyelid twitches as he types up a reply: "Learn to punctuate, douchebag. Imagine calling Belto Shelk hot. Have you seen all the wrinkles on his face? You must be fucking drunk. Get a life."

6:01 PM

He gets up from his computer, and begins to walk out, before sitting back down and resuming typing.

6:03 PM

"And seriously, imagine naming yourself after some fucking guy. You were born and got a name from your parents, and you get to go online and redefine your identity. You could have chosen anything. *Literally anything.* And you choose to name yourself after a fucking President. Imagine how pathetic you have to be. In eight years your name will mean nothing. What a fucking joke."

BBSF: This is actually about Belto W. Shelk. Idiot. Fucking moron

'Are you fucking kidding me? Okay, there's a lot to unpack here. First of all, why the hell would you expect me to predict that I would assume it's W. instead of H. W.? H.W. is obviously the more important person in modern life. Belto W. Shelk was an incredibly unimportant politician and political figure. He wasn't important at all. He was essentially just some milquetoast doofus and a loser. You calling me an idiot? Absolutely ridiculous. Imagine seriously typing that out with your fat fucking sweaty fingers. People like you don't fucking think. You must have gotten fucking dropped as a child, loser. Honestly, I don't even believe that you're named after Belto W. Shelk. I think you're just trying to use a gigantic cope to get one over on someone who has obviously outwitted you. Cry more, fuckass. You deserve to be burned at the stake. After you die I'll pillage your coffin for scrap timber. Imagine being so fucking devoted to defending some headass President you'd actually claim to care about Belto W. Shelk. Fucking pathetic. Belto W. Shelk never cared about you and he never will. You are fucking nothing. Keep on calling me fucking names on the internet, loser. See what happens. I hope your pets die when you love them the most.'

((Belto W. Shelk was also president))

Yes

BigBeltoWShelkFan: Hey man. Not cool. I hope you drown

Grobber reports BigBeltoWShelkFan to the moderation for threats of violence.

Evil.

Grobber is still seething when he decides to post the video onto twitter

Advehnt Guard

Online / twitter / President Shelk

Watch my new opinion on Belto Shelk in: "The TRUTH about Belto Shelk - The 'Average Joe' of America"

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

He then copes some before settling down into bed.

((Let’s end the session here I think. Not a very big one but hopefully I can get things fully started next session))

Sounds good

8:18 PM

Np, see you next week

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Dont see BigBeltoWShelkFan on here

Knock, knock

Grobber gets out of bed and shambles to the door, which he opens. "Myeh?"

2:15 PM

(will be gone for a bit, be back in like an hour thirty)

Ok got done with that noncery

3:37 PM

I'm back

It's Fritz again. "Morning, Grobber."

Grobber perks his head up. "Mmm eh? Hi, Fritz."

"Tired? I didn't bring coffee, but I can go make some now."

He shakes his head. "I- I'm fine. Don't worry about it. What's going on?"

"Nothing much, I'm afraid. At my age, I'm afraid most of my days are uneventful." He smiled. "I simply felt a desire to fancy myself some company."

Grobber looks aside. "A-Ah... Sorry. I just thought something might have happened." He looks up at Fritz. "So... uh... how's it going?"

"It's going quite splendid, thank you. May I come in?"

"Ah." Grobber scratches the back of his neck. "W-well, actually. My place is a wreck right now. There was a p-party here, and it was, uh- left a whole mess, it's not really suited for company..."

"Really? I don't recall hearing many voices beyond yours recently."

Grobber's lower left eye twitches. "D-do you listen to my house intently enough to make out my voice?"

"Ah, does that bother you? I'm sorry, my house is quite silent."

"So you're saying that it's silent enough that you c-can hear out of your house, through any noise that might be going on outside, and into mine?"

"Occasionally."

"...So you live alone then? M-must be pretty lonely. Do you come into contact with people often?"

"Rarely. I work a job on some nights, but the occasion of someone coming there is often low."

Grobber nods. "I understand." He tilts his head. "So, uh... on occasion, it gets quiet enough in your place that you're able to hear into my house and tell who's there, and one of those occasions happened to be... the last few evenings?"

"Yes, that sounds accurate."

Grobber nods. "O-okay... I understand." He gestures towards the door. "Would you like to come in? There are probably some rooms clean enough for us to stay for a little bit, at least." (edited)

"Of course." He nodded, still smiling, and entered.

Grobber follows behind him, as they go into the kitchen. "...Fritz, can I ask you a political question, if you don't mind?"

"Hm? I'm afraid I don't concern myself with politics, but please go ahead."

"...What's your opinion on Belto Shelk?"

"Which one?"

"Either, both..." The Fungus ambles his way to the cutlery station. "It doesn't really matter, I think the two are... somewhat similar."

"Well, I do recall voting for the original when I was a bit younger. Why?"

"O-oh. I just got into a discussion about it yesterday, and I wanted to ask someone that might know... a little bit more than I do."

5:06 PM

"...It's a little stuffy in here, don't you think? D-do you know any good hiking trails around? I think s-some fresh air could do me good."

"Hiking? That's never really been my forte. But I do believe there's a mountain not far from here."

The fungus nods at Fritz. "That sounds fun. Would you like to walk there?"

5:11 PM

He gives an unconvincing smile.

"Of course. Sounds simply splendid."

5:15 PM

Knock, knock, knock, knock, etc

Grobber's eyelid twitches as he takes his hand off the knife block. He walks to the door and opens it. (edited)

5:16 PM

"Yes?"

Grace immediately wrapped her arms around Grobber and began sobbing.

"Mmmm? Hmmm?" Grobber is taken aback. "Wh-what? Did something happen?"

Grace didn't respond.

5:24 PM

Fritz stood to the back of the room, smiling politely as always.

Grobber swivels around to Fritz and says "T-this is my... friend, Grace... uh..." "Grace, I guess I've told you about my neighbor, Fritz...."

5:26 PM

"Um.... uh..."

5:26 PM

He takes a few moments before patting Grace on the back. "T-there, there..."

Grace moved away, and crashed onto the couch, still crying.

5:26 PM

"Well, your lady friend seems rather upset." Fritz.

Grobber looks at Fritz, biting his lip, and then sighs, as a tension that was built up in the room goes away. "Yeah." He gnashes his teeth together a little while looking over Grace, head tilted. "...D-do you need a place to stay?"

Grace's crying eventually quieted down slightly. "Yeah… Yeah, that'd be nice. Sorry…"

He nods, and tries to stop himself from looking up at Fritz. "That's fine... I guess."

5:37 PM

"It's okay..."

5:37 PM

He sighs, and his shoulders fall. He rubs his face with his hands.

"Something the matter, Grobber?"

"T-there is just so much."

5:47 PM

"I spend so much time trying to feel good, and yet I still feel bad."

5:47 PM

He looks at Grace and he runs a hand through his greasy hair.

"Well, life can be hard sometimes." Fritz "Life's always hard. Some lunatics just try anyway, even if there’s no purpose. I’m done! I’m done!" Grace.

5:50 PM

"What’s the point of living, if you’re going to stay miserable about everything? Why don’t you come wit-" Fritz. "Get him out. GET HIM OUT!" Grace.

"Oh. O-oh man, oh... Oh... uhm..." Grobber looks around at the two of them. "Mmm." Grobber turns around and walks out of his front door, and then runs away from the house.

5:53 PM

When he runs out of energy, he starts walking, but he doesn't stop until he reaches a bend in the road, and he turns onto a different road's sidewalk.

5:54 PM

He continues until he finds an outcropping, where he'll walk into the grass or away from the road or something.

5:54 PM

He'll sit down, and start playing Genshin Gay Baby Jail.

Another value of life debate daily. This game is really starting to run out of ideas….

Grobber exits the game and ambles around on his phone. His gaze is caught by the app for the video platform he used yesterday.

5:57 PM

He opens it up, and starts pacing. He walks in circles as he hits record.

5:58 PM

"I... am so tired, of what everyone is saying, and the attitude..."

5:58 PM

"I'm t-tired of people saying that, t-that..."

5:58 PM

"I'm tired."

5:59 PM

"I guess, uhm..."

5:59 PM

"I guess everyone says that, y'know, there is a... once we are alive... that the government will keep us alive... that we have a right to life..."

5:59 PM

"But... a-also... sometimes... life sucks. Life is so bad..."

5:59 PM

"My life is t-torture. I hate it. I hate it!"

6:00 PM

"So... um... what good is a right to life?"

6:00 PM

"I want a right... a right to a good life. Y-yeah. A good one. I have a right to a l-life where I feel good. Where I feel..."

6:00 PM

"I have a right to a life where I feel pleasure."

6:00 PM

"...Yeah..."

6:01 PM

"Um.... yeah."

6:02 PM

"I deserve to feel good. Or else my life isn't worth anything at all."

6:02 PM

"I... I fucking."

6:02 PM

"I hate this."

6:02 PM

Grobber finishes the recording and uploads the video, then sits back down.

BigBeltoShelkFan commented: hope your life gets worse

Grobber replies. "This is incredibly pathetic. I open my heart up for all to see and you become petty and juvenile. I can't say i didn't expect it. You look like a portrait I would draw with my left hand. This is the worst behavior I have ever seen out of anyone in my entire life. You are singularly terrible. You are awful. I hate you. You make me pray for an afterlife so you are finally given a little bit of comeuppance for your actions. This is truly awful. You will never come back from this. I am so jealous of every single other channel that doesn't have to deal with your bullshit. You deserve to be surrounded by people like yourself." He then reports BigBeltoShelkFan for harassment.

BigBeltoShelkFan: rent free

"G-gw-gshhhhH!!!!!!" Grobber breathes out of his mouth really hard and throws his phone up in the air as hard as he can.

((Roll))

It’s intact, thankfully.

He breathes in and out some more and picks up his phone, before ambling home.

Grace was ranting incoherently in another language. Fritz was silent, but his expression was surprisingly unhappy as he clutched his cheek.

"Hi."

"Alright, I can see I'm not welcome. Anothe time, Grobber." Fritz walked to the door, as Grace sat back down on the couch and held her hands to her head.

"Okay." He watches as Fritz leaves. He turns back to Grace. "Hi."

"Hey..." She didn't look up.

"..." He doesn't say anything as he sits down next to her and then leans his head back.

"..."

"...So... what's up..."

"I don't want to talk about it." She breathed heavily.

"Yeah." Grobber goes to his room and starts gaming™️.

After a short while. Grace entered the gaming room. "Have you... Ever been to therapy?" (edited)

"...I tried once, but it was just really embarrassing and gross. I felt bad for a whole week."

"Michelle... Did I ever tell you about her?" She sighed. "She convinced me to go for a bit. So I was... I was there, earlier."

"No, I dont think you have... you might've... but you could have.... yeah... So you were there before?"

"Yeah. Exactly like your old man friend. Fucking..." She looked around trying to find the word. "Fucking delusional. Just... Delusional optimism."

"...Yeah." He shakes his head "I honestly don't know how they feel like that. I feel so terrible and other people feel so good. Are we doing something wrong?"

"They're just... Lunatics. Or no... It's more like masochists at that point."

He shakes his head. "I dont know how it happens. What things have to happen for people to end up like that... crazy."

"Michelle used to- is- was like that. I just... Wish I understood her a bit." She wiped the tears out of her eyes. "Anyway... You still... You still got weed?"

"Yeah." Grobber goes to pack a bowl. "Yeah, I do."

She sat down on the floor and waited.

Grobber finishes packing, puts it in the bong, lights it, and takes a long hit.

8:37 PM

Then he passes it.

She like. Takes a hit. Whatever the fuck that means.

Yes that is correct terminology

8:39 PM

Wholesome

8:40 PM

"Man." He leans down "I needed this."

"Me too. Let's just... Let's just forget all this shit.... And run fucking wild."

"Cheers." Grobber prepares another bong and offers a toast.

"Oh come on, don't just drown your sorrows away!" An unfamiliar girl's voice could be heard.

"Wh-what the fuck?" Grobber looks around.

There is a white dog at the door.

8:48 PM

"What is it?" Grace.

"...there's a... goddamn dog, man." He looks back at his bong. "...this shit's laced?"

"What? What dog?" Grace. "I am Ehn!" The Dog.

"...man." He leans back. "...man, this is b-brazy..."

"Huh...? Why are you the only one who can see me? I was trying to make the deal with her... This is annoying." Ehn.

Grobber looks at the dog. "It's because you're like-" He takes a hit. "You're a fucking, like- spirit man. Subjective reality type beat."

"Yeah, I know." Ehn. "What the fuck are you... Talking about?" Grace.

"There's a g-goddamned dog I see, man... I see a dog."

"I am Ehn." Ehn "No shit, man... You're high." Grace. (edited)

"Yeah... hi Ehn."

"So have you ever thought about... Magic? I kinda planned a pitch for her but I'll deal with you first." Ehn.

"...No. Magic is not real." Grobber states up front.

Ehn walked through a wall and back. "Does that help?"

He smiles a little bit. "You're like..." he laughs. "A high... ghost, man."

"Did I really have to stumble upon you at this time..." She sounded annoyed.

9:42 PM

"I'll say it clearly. I am going to grant you an ability. One that bypasses all normal human ability."

9:42 PM

((Session end))

"I'll say it clearly. I am going to grant you an ability. One that bypasses all normal human ability."

((You're on Saturday))

Okay!!!!

@Ehn/PC is it 8 pm eastern

((It is 3))

So like

3:15 PM

In 11 45 hours?

3:15 PM

Uhhh you meant what it is now

3:15 PM

Okay so session in 5 hours

Grobber just kind of stares at Ehn blankly. "Man...."

"Yes...?" Ehn. (edited)

(who)

((I edited the answer in sorry))

"...Powers and shit, hahaha..." He looks at the bong again. "Man, I really, needed this..." "I think I said that already..."

"Just pass this message on to her, at least." Ehn.

"Uhh..." He looks at Grace. "The dog wanted you to know, that... uh..." He swallows. "I'm getting some, uh.... powers to bypass humans, in uh.... ability."

"Don't involve me in you hallucination..." Grace.

Grobber nods at Grace. "Nah dog, it's fun, it's, uhh...." He leans back and exhales, closing his eyes.

"I'll just come back another time." Ehn moved away. "Your ability's somewhere in this junk, probably."

Grobber immediately leans back up. "No, no. No. No." He readjusts his glasses. "I can sober up. I'm sobering up. I'm sober." He coughs a couple of times, and refocuses his gaze on the dog. "Okay. Ability."

"Are you really sober?" Ehn. (edited)

Grobber nods. "Enough, man. Enough."

"Okay, let's find where your ability will have manifested." Ehn looked around the room.

Grobber pretends to look around as well, more focused on what da dog's doin.

Ehn stopped at the bong. "This is probably a terrible idea."

Grobber looks at Ehn, biting his lower lip, trying to hold in laughter. "Dude... enchanted bong..."

"Am I really stuck with you...?" Ehn rolled over in exasperation.

"I swear... I'm the best fit. I'm like... built for this. It's the best thing I can do..."

"It's not like I can take it back. Oh well." Ehn began to leave.

Grobber nods. "Wait, is that it? A-are you done? Do you have any other advice?"

"Uh... Go wild?" Ehn.

Grobber walks over to the bong and picks it up, then inspects it further.

It looks completely normal.

8:57 PM

((Oh yeah it's midnight, which ends chapter 2 btw. This has nothing to do with sessions I'm just making that clear.)) (edited)

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

3: Artificial Gravity

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Poggers

8:59 PM

Grobber, smugly, switches the bowl in the 'enchanted' bong with the bowl from his own. (the bowl is the weed receptacle) He then lights it, and takes a hit.

The weed has no effect.

He rubs the bong, like you would rub a genie's lamp. Regardless of the effect, he'd take another hit and smile, leaning back.

Still no effect.

9:04 PM

"Grobber...?" Grace.

"Yeah?" He looks at Grace.

"Grobber....?" (edited)

"Yeah!" He laughs, and slumps down. "It's me!"

"Where are you?" She sounded annoyed.

"I'm right here!" He laughs. "I just took a hit out of that bong that dog enchanted, heheheh."

"What...?"

"The.... the fuckin' uh.... The hallucination dog..."

"Can you just stop talking crazy and get back here...?"

Grobber goes back out of his room, to the kitchen, and looks at a mirror.

There is no reflection.

"What the fuck..." He grabs a large cutting board and returns to his room, waving it around. "I'm fucking invisible! I don't have a goddamn reflection! I'm invisible! On god!"

Grace doesn't seem to react.

"I'm FUCKING INVISIBLE!"

"What are you on, Grobber...?" (edited)

He continues to wave around the cutting board, and then he sets it down before moving to Grace and shaking her by her shoulders. "I'M INVISIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Wh-What the hell?" She punched him in the face.

"OW! FACK!" He stutters back, and falls on an empty spot. "Shit! Yeah! I'm fucking invisible!"

"Was that fucking dog... fucking real?" He falls back and begins to laugh.

"...Huh????" Grace.

"You can't see me right? Then it's fucking real!!! It's real!!!!" He falls back and laughs, kicking his legs up.

Grace groaned in annoyance.

"This is... so fucked up... I could... I could..." He sits down and sighs. "Oh my god... this is awesome.... I... I'm amazing...."

9:42 PM

"Hell yeah! Hell yeah!"

9:43 PM

Grobber goes back to the bong and looks at it. "This is... One ring type shit... for real..."

He looks at Grace. "I wonder what I could do with this?"

Grace is non-responsive.

He nods and then goes outside after checking his reflection.

It sure is outside at midnight.

(( @The Fungus hi?))

(Sorry got an urgent call from mom)

11:04 PM

Grobber goes to Fritz's house.

The door is locked.

He walks to the front door and knocks.

No response.

He sighs. He walks to the nearest store, waving in and out of headlight on the sidewalk.

There’s a convenience store not far from here.

Grobber walks in and grabs four large bags of chips before walking walking to the front desk.

The guy at the front desk does not seem to react.

"uhhh.... hi."

No reaction.

"Uhhhh, Uhm... Hi. Hello?"

They finally looked up. "…Hm?"

"I WANT TO BUY CHIPS! I'M HUNGRY AS SHIT!"

They didn’t look at Grobber, moreso through. "Who’s there?"

"I'M G-"

11:35 PM

He thinks for a moment.

11:35 PM

"I'M THE FUNGUS!"

((Roll credits))

11:36 PM

"…What?"

"I'M THE FUNGUS! I AM A BEING BLESSED BY A DOG! I'M ENCHANTED! I'M HERE TO SATIATE MY GREAT HUNGER RESULTING FROM AN EVENT INVOLVING MY ENCHANTMENT!"

"???????"

The Fungus yells. "I'M DOORFRAMED AS FUCK RIGHT NOW!"

"Wh-What the hell is happening!?"

The Fungus thinks for a moment. He bites his lip for a moment, looks around, and breathes in, ready to yell. "You are alone, son. Look around. You are a bulb of light in a sea of dark. Feel it surround you. Feel it inside you. That light is everything you have ever known." He begins to walk along an aisle, knocking chip bags off the shelves as he does. "The dark has existed long before the light. And that is what I am telling you today. I am building a great and terrible army. You will see it building. You will hear it building. With the army I build, I will, raze a trillion galaxies." He goes to the fridge and opens it, knocking milk jugs off the shelves. "We will return all of existence to void. We are The Fungus, and we have come to your dead, empty universe and have begun eating it up. Hear my whispers. Soon, others like you will come forward. You will find them. After that, you all will relate all my whispers to a dying world."

11:53 PM

(okay this is the part of the campaign where I begin smoking crack)

The guy at the desk grabbed his 2 crutches, and attempted to hobble out of the building in a panic.

Grobber walks over to the man and kicks his crutches out from under him.

They fell onto the floor, and clutched an already injured leg.

Grobber leans down and bites his lip. He walks over to the man and begins to help him up.

"Ah, thank you…" The man got back up.

Grobber leans to pull the crutches over with his feet, before giving them to the man and backing away.

"Where did you go?" They looked around.

"Away, I will spread. Soon."

They bolted out of the store as fast as they could.

The Fungus grabs a bunch of snacks and puts them in a bag, before he steadily walks away. As he steps back to his place, he pulls out his phone and browses the comment threads he had with BigBeltoShekFan.

BigBeltoShelkFan has posted Grobber’s home address.

wait on god fr?

Yes.

He opens his eyes wide, before clutching his face and reporting the comment to youtube for DOXXing.

12:17 AM

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" He yells as he walks back to his house.

His house appears normal.

He goes back and tries to find Grace.

She’s lost consciousness.

He looks at her, sighs, looks around, and smiles. He gets in his bed and goes to sleep.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber woke up.

He stumbles to a nearby mirror to see if he's still... whatever happened. (edited)

He looks normal.

...

8:04 PM

Okay

8:04 PM

Is Grace here?

She's still unconscious on the bed.

He sighs, then tries to find the bong from last night (the special one)

((Roll))

Grobber cannot locate the correct bong.

Awesome!!!

8:08 PM

Grobber sits at his table. Damn

8:08 PM

...

8:08 PM

He circles in his chair a little bit, and chews his lip

8:08 PM

He halfway stands up, before sitting back down

8:09 PM

He googles 'The Fungus'

The results are as you'd expect.

Okay what does that mean. Just regular google search results?

8:11 PM

Just shit about mushrooms?

Yes.

Awesome

8:13 PM

Grobber's eye twitches, and he swallows, before nodding. "Good... good." "Good."

8:13 PM

He rubs his eyes before heading to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.

8:15 PM

He walks up to a window in his kitchen and holds two blinds apart with one hand, peering through it. He drinks his water with the other.

It sure is the outside of his house.

He peers around, and lets the blinds close before shaking his head, pushing them apart and checking them, and then walking away, continuing to drink water. He goes back to his room, looking around, before he sits down in his chair and logs into Genshin GBJ

Today's daily is to accomplish the worst thing you have ever done.

Grobber goes

8:25 PM

This is one he's gonna have to think on.

The most grossly uncomfortable yawn you can imagine came from the bed, as Grace finally awoke.

Grobber looks at Grace. "Hey." "Hey, do you remember something weird happening last night?"

"A lot of weird things. Do you have a beer?"

Grobber goes to the fridge and grabs two beers, before handing one off and cracking one open for himself. "Cheers."

She just starts chugging it, before choking.

He keeps on drinking his, eyeing her over the bottle. "-shyou good?"

"Yeah" She cleared her throat. "You?"

"...Yeah. I'm on edge, sorry." He shakes his head.

8:52 PM

"Do you ever feel like we're owed something?"

"All the time. But it's not like anyone's ever going to pay me back."

He looks up to her. "...People can pay as back, they just choose not to. All we have to do is make them."

"...Make them?"

9:13 PM

The doorbell rang.

Grobber checks who it is.

It's an unfamiliar woman and an unfamiliar old man. There's a rather fancy car behind them.

Grobber looks behind himself. "...Forget it. I had a bad night." He opens the door. "Hello? I apologize, I think you have the wrong house."

The woman is Carolyn Blythe, creating a new channel.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-and-grobber

"Hello there, I assume you would be Grobber? Or do you prefer I call you Mr. Brentwood? I like to make sure I use the most comfortable name for the other party, so don't be afraid to clarify."

"...M-mweh?" Grobber's eye twitches, and he looks back, rapping his hand on the door, before looking forward. He scowls. "Uhh... yeah. I'm Grobber. Grobber Brentwood. Which is, um... yeah. So it's Brentwood. Yeah." He nods. "...Yeah." He looks behind himself again. "Why are you here?"

"Well, Mr. Brentwood, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carolyn Blythe, and I've come here... I suppose you could say I'm seeking advice. We have a mutual friend, you see. I'm not sure if you know this, but Grace has just been through something of a traumatic experience, and I was hoping I could talk to someone she's close to in order to get an idea of how I could help her."

"Okay."

The Old Man was silent.

"You are close with her, correct? I don't mean to sound too presumptuous, it's just I've been told stories about the two of you before. Of course, one-sided accounts aren't always necessarily accurate, so I'd like to clarify that point. You're also under no obligation to help, I was just hoping you'd be interested."

"Yeah, I h-have." "Uh-uhm.." He looks at Carolyn, and the Old man, and then back at the door. How much space is between the two of them and the door?

9:38 PM

this question is CRITICAL

uh ok it's not actually that critical

9:46 PM

should I just continue

((gatekept by atmey reading homestuck... so sad))

lmao

9:47 PM

Grobber steps forward and closes the door behind him, now actively standing too close to Carolyn and the old man. "Y-yeah, I have.. uh... sex with Grace and stuff... yeah..."

((Oh sorry I was letting Nat decide))

9:47 PM

((She moved the character there))

((i guess that makes sense lmao. oh well mb))

9:50 PM

"Ah, that's great news. Being sexually active is a great way to reduce stress, I'm glad you two are able to help each other like that. Although I do question your openness with it, is she fine with others knowing about that? Not that I'm accusing you of anything, I'm sure you know what you're doing."

Grobber's upper lip begins to twitch, and he looks around, and begins to sway in place on his doorstep before his lip goes back to normal. "Y-yeah, uh sure. Uh... definitely. Yeah."

9:52 PM

He refuses to look Carolyn in the eye.

"Ah, sorry... You mind if I use your bathroom? I really gotta go, and I'd simply hate to interrupt whatever..." He gestured vaguely at them. "This is."

Grobber continues swaying as if he hadn't heard the old man.

"I'm going to piss on your front porch."

"G-give me... uhm... just a second." Grobber opens the door, walks in, and shuts the door.

The old man reflexively grabbed the door as Grobber tried to shut it, and held it open.

Carolyn looks a tad displeased at this turn of events "There's no need to be rude to Mr. Brentwood. We are his guests, after all."

Grobber peeks his head through the crack. "...Uh-um... um..."

9:57 PM

"...I have some p-personal stuff laid out in my kitchen. If you w-wait a sec, I can clear it out and you can... piss."

9:57 PM

"Or shit. Or smoke a doobie. whatever."

"Piss... In the... kitchen...?" He let go. "Just a reflex. Have to handle a lot of doors as a... Chauffeur. Yeah. Car doors. Plenty of 'em." He cleared his throat.

"No, but you have to pass through the kitchen, t-t-to get to the bathroom."

10:00 PM

"Can I. Can I clean up now? Is that okay?"

"Yeah, go clean your meth up or whatever." He waved Grobber away.

"Okay, I will go c-clean my meth up. No, uh, my w-weed, uh... uhm... B-be back in a sec. Yeah."

10:04 PM

He shuts the door.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

ok now

10:04 PM

Grobber walks to his room, or wherever Grace is staying. "Hey, an old man and some weird lady is here asking about you. The old guy wants to come in and pee. Do you want to hide?"

"What...? What the fuck?"

Grobber waves his arms around. "Yeah!!!! They're here! The old dude almost fucking like forced his way in! i was able to buy some time, but... uh... they're coming in here!"

"They're breaking into your house? What the hell? What did you do, Grobber?"

"They really want to talk to me about you. And I think the old guy has to piss."

"Wh-What? Who's talking about me?"

"It's a lady called Carolyn Blythe and an old man." He scratches the back of his neck.

"HER!?" Grace ran to the door.

Grobber follows behind Grace.

Grace swung the door open. Carolyn and the old man are still there.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-and-grobber

"You! You bitch! Are you stalking me now!?" Grace.

Grobber follows behind Grace, peering behind her soldier. "O-oh man, uh... I found G-grace in here, e-em..."

Carolyn's expression starts to look a bit nervous "Oh, you're here as well, Grace? My apologies, I didn't mean to make it seem like I was following you. Honest, I had no idea you were at Mr. Brentwood's home today. I just wanted to have a conversation with him. After our last session, rest assured that I understood you didn't want to see me at the moment, I was waiting for you to contact me to schedule the next appointment rather than making a move myself."

"O-oh... I think there's been, um... some miscommunication... er..." He gulps. "Do you still need to pee?" He looks at Oldman.

"Yes." The old man entered the house very quickly, obviously trying to avoid the conversation.

Grobber keeps an eye on the old man.

"You said she came here asking about me. Were you lying about that? Or did she decide she can start interrogating people I know behind my back."

Grobber shakes his head fast at Grace. "Nuh-uh. She, umm... She wanted to talk about y-you..."

"I have to admit that I was trying to talk to Mr. Brentwood about you without your permission. It's... not a strategy I would typically employ for a patient, so I understand why you're upset, but I was just hoping I could make sure you're surrounded by people giving you proper support at this time of your life." (edited)

"Wait, so do you know about me? L-like... do you know, m-my deal, and shit?"

"Well... That depends on what exactly you mean by your deal. I've heard about you from Grace, and I've seen your YouTube channel, although only a small clip."

Carolyn Blythe

"This time of my life!? You keep her out of this, you piece of shit! I told you to leave me alone. I refuse to let you trick me into thinking it’s all going to be okay all over again. Just get out of here!"

"W-WHAT!??!??" He walks towards Carolyn. "You-You've... how? What?" He scratches his neck, and breathes in and out a couple times. "What- what the fuck! Man? And you thought that you could like."

10:33 PM

"You've seen my Youtube? How did you even f-find..."

10:34 PM

His face gets red, and he begins to walk back and forth.

10:34 PM

"Oh man, and... if you've seen that, you could've seen... oh man..."

10:34 PM

"And you're with- oh-"

10:34 PM

"What the fuck! FUCK!"

Carolyn holds out her hands as if to signal to him to stop "Hey, Mr. Brentwood, I know there's a lot going on in this conversation that you're having to process. I just want to let you know that I'm willing to help you through whatever problems you have, and I have no issues with the kind of videos I've seen you post. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Grobber pauses for a moment, then begins to hyperventilate, and he paces back and forth. "How did you even... how did you know where I live? How did you-" He stops in his tracks and looks at Carolyn dead in the eyes. "You... Are y-you BigBeltoShelkFan?"

"...Uh, is that a user you talk with on YouTube? If so, then no, I don't even have an account. I'm also not particularly political, if that's what you meant. I'm glad you're managing to take this one step at a time, though. I understand I've overstepped some boundaries, so I'm willing to answer whatever you need me to in order to reassure you that I really have nothing but the best of intentions."

"A-and that... you posted my address! You- you fucking, you exposed me to the whole world, and you came here, and n-now a stranger is in my house.... o-oh my god. Y-you're going to kill me, you're going to fucking KILL ME! It was all real, it was all real, everything that happened, you're going to fucking- did I summon you? Are you some fucking shadow demon? Are you... oh man..." He sits on the ground and leans back. "I'm g-gonna die! I'm going to die!"

"G-Grobber, calm down." Grace awkwardly pet his shoulder.

Carolyn takes a step back to give him space "I promise you, I mean absolutely no harm, Mr. Brentwood. I haven't posted your address anywhere, no one knows it except me and my chauffeur, who is also completely harmless. I... can tell that my presence is causing you a lot of stress, though. I won't stick around too much longer, but I would like to recommend that you see a therapist, even if it isn't me. I have a good colleague I can recommend, if that would be better."

He looks back at Grace, and he turns back to Carolyn, and he breathes for a few moments. "I'm sorry." He looks back to Grace. "Okay, yeah, w-wow. Uhm.... oh man, I might be- you might be- oh man, I'm very sorry." "I'm not good at, uh, confrontations... and I- I'm not good at, ehm... talking to people. I've kind of been h-holed up in my place for a bit, and I only really talk with... uh... Grace. Plus, last night, I went and, uh..." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry."

A smile rises to Carolyn's face "It's perfectly fine, there's nothing to apologize for. All I wish for is to help those in need adjust to a life they can be happy with. I became a therapist for people like you, so I don't have an issue with how you've behaved. You can feel free to be as openly yourself as you need to."

"Dont you dare use this to get to him. I told you to leave!"

Grobber stands up. "You didn't become a therapist to help people like me. There are people out there that have real problems. Even though everything is awful, all the time, I have nothing to complain about. I'm just rotten." He turns back and looks at Grace.

Grace looks uncomfortable at these implications.

"No! You can't say that!" Carolyn places a hand over her mouth for a moment in surprise at her own raising of her voice "My... apologies, I just need to clarify what a therapist's job is. I'm not a miracle worker, I'm not a surgeon, I don't rescue people in danger, I don't help people out of poverty. What I do is help change your perspective, I hear out people like you, and help you find a way for you to live with what you already have in a happier way. And the first step is treating the things getting in the way of that happiness seriously. Pretending you don't have real problems won't solve anything."

"...I-if you want to help people..." Grobber points down the street. "T-there's a guy next door who is so lonely that he listens to what happens in my house like a creep." He points another way. "There's a c-convenience store down that-a-way some ways, and, uh... occasionally, a poor dude in crutches mans it. He's been hearing things." He points to his house. "And there's a poor old guy in there who o-obviously has trouble using the restroom, he's in there so long." "...There's nothing you could give me I haven't already been given. There's nothing for you here."

(((Yakuza 2) https://tenor.com/view/therapy-ryuji-goda-kazuma-kiryu-kiryu-ryuji-fight-yakuza-gif-18494404 ))

"Don't worry, I'm already planning to help my chauffeur. As for the others... You have a point that everyone needs help in some way. It's impossible to live on this earth and not face some hardships, whether external or internal. It's a sad fact that there simply isn't enough help to go around. But that's no reason for you to place your problems below those of others. Everyone has different experiences, all equally important, and just because you don't think your life should logically seem any harder than that of other people, doesn't mean the problems need to be addressed less. You're using your right to life, but I'm offering you a right to a good life. Therapy isn't a guarantee to help, but it's worth a shot, isn't it? This isn't about anyone else, it's about you, and your choice alone."

"Don’t listen to her, Grobber."

"...Right to a good life..." He looks back at Carolyn, and then back at Grace. He runs away from his house, down the street.

"You piece of shit!" Grace yelled this at Carolyn, before hesitantly following Grobber.

Carolyn moves to follow after the two of them, but stops herself and just watches instead.

Grobber stops after running a little ways, leaning down and coughing, before resting, and walking slowly in the direction he was going originally.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber is slowly ambling.

"Don’t let her get in your head. Just don’t think about her okay, let’s just drown out the memory of her, right?" Grace is biting her lip as she follows.

"..." Grobber gazes into the distance before looking back at Grace. "Okay, yeah."

"Fucking delusional piece of shit." She kicked at the ground. "I’m… I'm sorry for dragging you into that. I really thought I could be free of her."

"...Yeah." He walks back towards Grace, staring at the ground.

Grace sat down on the sidewalk, and buried her face in her hands.

Grobber notices and sits down next to her. "I don't remember people acting like her. She's not normal, right?"

"She’s clearly fucked in the head, but… It’s not like she’s the only one. Some people just… They just think they can ignore everything and be happy. They just think it’s that easy, that just because they can fucking… Fucking pretend all is well for 5 minutes, then clearly it’s all good. They’re insane. Stupid. Idiotic. Delusional. Crazy." She kept smacking her head against her hands. "And they’ll act like I’m cr- We’re crazy."

"Yeah..." He looks back at Carolyn.

Carolyn and the old man are now driving off.

"...They're gone now. Let's go home."

"What lets them be happy? What lets them pretend it’s all going to be okay? A-Are they just braindead? C-Can they just not feel misery? I want to be happy, but no one will ever let me be happy and… And that’s supposed to be my fault?" Grace isn’t listening to him.

Grobber scoots in closer to Grace and slowly puts his arm around her. "..."

"Is… Is that really just too much to ask? Just… Just for even the slightest thing to go how I want it to?"

"E-ehm... we could Ubereats something, and have a meal, or..."

12:12 AM

"If you'd like to do something... we could do it."

(is this session end or just an epic pause)

((Was writing something in another channel sorry))

12:34 AM

Grace hugged Grobber, and cried into his shoulder without answering his question.

(np

)

12:36 AM

Grobber hugs Grace back, and bites his lip.

"My, are you 2 quite alright?" Fritz spoke up from behind them. "You seem quite emotional."

Grobber flinches, wincing at an unexpected voice, and looks up at Fritz. "...H-hey, Fritz... Someone that knew Grace came over while neither of us was expecting anybody, and the conversation got... very intense."

"Hm… I see. It’s very impolite to surprise someone who isn’t expecting it. You should consider informing this friend of hers to send some form of advance warning, perhaps?"

"...Y-yeah." He rubs his eye with his fist. "Yeah, she came unannounced. She was in the wrong, there." He nods. "Some people... so rude."

"Mhm." Fritz nodded for a moment. "Well, I do have places to be unfortunately. But please, if you ever need my help for anything, feel free to inquire."

"Mwehh? Oh. uh, yeah. Uhh... have a- h-have a good day, or... or one, Fritz."

"Thank you, Grobber." He left cheerfully.

Grobber sees him off before squinting up at the sun. "Do you want to go back inside?"

"Y-Yeah, sorry." She stumbled up.

Grobber heads back to his home, eager to get back into a safe environment.

Grace followed behind him.

1:09 AM

((Gonna end the session here))

poggers

((Session on Sunday))

Grobber arrived back home.

He walks to the bathroom nearest to the front door.

8:07 PM

Is the bowl of the sink wet?

It is not.

How long ago did the two of them leave?

About an hour.

oh okay

8:09 PM

Losing my goddamned mind

8:10 PM

Grobber shakes his head and walks out of the bathroom, walking into his room, before he paces back and forth.

8:12 PM

"...in there so long... man, i don't..."

8:12 PM

He coughs and goes to the kitchen, filling a glass with the sink water, rotating it in his hand.

8:13 PM

"Hey Grace?" He explores his house, trying to find the girl.

She is laying down on the ground. Not particularly clean ground either.

"You awake?" He asks her, probingly, but restrained, as if to not wake her up.

"Yeah."

He winces. "I'm going out. For a while. I'll bring some food when I get back. Sounds good?" (edited)

No response.

Grobber's wince turns into a smile. He walks towards his room and tries to find the bong from last night on the ground. Roll?

((Sure))

Grobber finds the bong.

Awesome. He goes to his computer and sets up his webcam and microphone. He puts his headphones on so that his microphone audio gets redirected back to him and he pulls up his live camera feed.

8:26 PM

He looks down at the bong and pauses, before sighing and filling it, before taking a hit.

A light extended out of Grobber's arm. It took the form of a blade, and remained in that stable form.

"..."

8:29 PM

"Ex-"

8:29 PM

???????

8:29 PM

He holds it away from himself. "Wh-wha?"

8:30 PM

He takes another hit.

No visible effect.

He stands up, and walks across the room. (Good highness litmis test) Does he feel high?

No.

He nods, and stares at the blade. Is it pretty?

It's cool, yeah. It like. Extends from his elbow to past his hand.

He blinks a couple times, before trying to, like, imagine it going away.

It's still there.

"Unique." He gives the Obama not bad face.

8:35 PM

He taps his foot a couple times.

8:35 PM

His hands waver over the keyboard before he looks at his YouTube comment section.

Nothing new.

His lips purse. He shakes his head, and he heads out the back door into the forest.

8:39 PM

Once there, he'll wave the light around, trying to use it to etch trees, rocks, and the ground.

It doesn't magically cut things great, but it is basically the same quality as a steel sword.

Holy fricking crap. Free sword glitch.

8:41 PM

Grobber will smile, and will play among the trees for a while, slashing at them with his epic sword hand.

Alright. The novelty has worn off. This kinda sucks.

8:50 PM

Oh, fuck. He promised to get food.

8:51 PM

Grobber goes to a nearby shitty restaurant. Maybe an IHOP, a McDonalds, Waffle House, etc.

Of course, the classic Cracker Barrel.

Grobber goes to the front counter. "...Uhm... uh... Hi."

What the fuck is a Cracker Barrel actually like, I don't know what those are. Give me a sec to google this

Lmao

The cracker barreller themselves answers. "Good afternoon, and welcome to cracker barrel."

Grobber looks at the cracker barreler, before, kind of waving the sword in front of their face.

They're just kind of stunned.

"Uh-uhh... I'll take, uh..."

9:17 PM

"Y-yeah can I get a table?"

"Right this way, sir." They brought him to a table, as stated.

He sits down at the table. "Oh, sh-shit. I just remembered I have to bring someone home something. Or like. Bring something to someone back home. So... uh. Could I, uh, like order takeout instead?"

The Cracker Barreler nods. This is probably a system that exists at cracker barrel.

"Uh. E-erm uh... great. I'll take uh... two grilled chicken tender dinners with... dumplings, broccoli, and fries."

9:32 PM

He walks over to the "Country Store" part if the store and picks up some giant smarties, and a Webkinz (a monkey).

These things cost the same price that they would cost in real life.

AWESOME!!! He buys them.

9:38 PM

He bites his lip. This is not going how he expected.

9:42 PM

He walks outside and tries to walk up to a person.

There is a person.

He gestures to his light sword. "Do you see this?"

"Y-Yeah...?"

"The... the sword?"

"Yeah... What is that? Like... a weird light?"

"...YEAH!"

9:48 PM

He reaches out and gently pokes at the ground with it.

9:50 PM

"It's a pointy light!"

"How?"

"...T-The Fungus!"

"What?"

He looks up. "...The Fungus. Haven't you heard?"

"No?"

9:57 PM

"...They've talked to me, and a few others." (edited)

9:59 PM

He shakes his head. "They're giving people weird powers... empowering people. It's all the work of the Fungus. They're coming to consume everything." He looks up. "It's spreading. You should look into it."

10:00 PM

"Maybe they'll whisper some things to you."

The person just kind of moved away, clearly disturbed by Grobber.

Grobber nods, and smiles. He chases the person with the light a bit, before laughing and walking away.

10:03 PM

He goes home and sees if Grace is awake.

Seems like it.

He sets the food down next to her. "My arm became a light sword."

"...What?"

"Open your eyes. It happened."

She looked at him. "What the hell...?"

"...Do you remember last night, when I said I turned invisible? That happened. This is happening too."

10:18 PM

"...I got you your food." He gestures to the food on the ground. "I got you this, too." He drops the plush monkey on the ground. "It's a Webkinz. You can register the code on it online and raise it. If you want."

"Wh-Why would I do that?"

"It makes me feel better to build things. It feels right."

"Who cares?"

"I care. It's brain chemicals, man." He shrugs. "S'why I play the fucking games all day. I max out those accounts so I say I can."

"Well I'm not you. Don't project your weird fucking passions on me."

"Fuck off, man. I bought you a stuffed animal. Don't look a gift horse in the dick."

"I don't want it. You take it if you give so much of a shit."

"God, sorry I tried to be nice to you. Sorry I fucking, like, gave you a goddamned stuffed animal and a fucking meal and a fucking house to live in. Sorry for extending all this shit to you. My fucking bad, goddamn..."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" She got up. "I said no to 1 stuffed animal! Don't make this into something larger than it is! I have too much on my fucking plate right now to just sit there and have you throw a fucking tantrum at me like you're a child."

"Oh yeah, you 'said no.' F-fucking perfect. That shit is a blatant fucking misrepresentation. Like you fucking politely held your hand up and said 'Ah, I don't think I will, apologies.' You blew the fuck up in my face, sure I'm gonna get mad!" He doesn't look at her.

"What the fuck are you on?" She shoved him away angrily. "Are you just trying to kick me out? You want me to run away so you can rot away alone in here? Because you can just say that, you don't have to make a big show out of it! I'm used to losing the people I care about! You wanna cross yourself off my list, feel free!" She is coming close to crying again.

"...Whatever. You can stay. Throw it away, I don't care. Just deal with it."

"I don't want your stupid stuffed animal! Why do I have to deal with it!? You're the one who said he liked those! You take it!"

"I don't like the animals, I don't like fucking Webkinz, I just said that- I thought you might, like-" He sighs. "You don't like the thing, you deal with it." He walks away.

Where is he walking away to.

his room

Grace did not respond.

He rolls up to his computer and starts playing random idle games, before pulling up a different pong (not the funny one) and using it to get high.

11:02 PM

"...bored bored bored bored bored. Bored bored bored bored bored bored bored."

Gaming.

He spins around in his chair, and looks at his light sword. "Do you have anything else? Can you talk?"

Nothing.

"You are a sword. A blade. Like regular. People can see you."

11:13 PM

"...I could buy a sword."

11:13 PM

He leans back in his chair. "Bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah."

11:13 PM

"bored bored bored bored bored."

11:15 PM

He smokes some more.

11:18 PM

"Surpass human ability..."

11:20 PM

He gazes at the blade, and sighs. What time is it?

It's about 5PM by now. The doorbell rings.

He goes to the door and opens it.

(Session end?)

It’s a mailman. They have a package.

HOLY CRAP LOIS

12:25 AM

Grobber suspiciously eyes the mailman up and down before taking the package.

12:25 AM

After bringing it in, he'll rip into it.

It’s a Belto Shelk mug.

After fuming for a few seconds, he'll frantically look for a return address on the package.

It’s from an online seller.

"Ayeuguguhgghguh!!!!"

12:28 AM

Grobber begins to frantically wave around the room, angrily sweeping and swooping. "You fuck- you fuck!"

12:29 AM

He takes the mug and prepares to throw it, before laughing to himself and feverishly placing it back in its original packaging, chuckling.

12:32 AM

He paces back and forth in the room.

12:32 AM

"Yeah, I could... I could... No, no no nononononono."

12:32 AM

"....No, that would be too fast. Too fast.. nonononononono."

12:33 AM

"I could... I could..."

12:34 AM

"Hahahaha! Heh-hehhehehehhehe!"

12:36 AM

He doubles back in laughter.

12:37 AM

He pulls out 12 knives from his cutlery drawer, laying them all out on the table.

12:37 AM

"Yes,,, yesss..." He'll scramble around his house, looking for some psychedelics. Is it fair to assume that he has some on hand?

Sure.

Okay. He takes out his stock he has on hand and divides them into 12 roughly equal proportions, even though it's small. He leaves them close to the knives.

12:40 AM

Barely holding back laughter, he pulls out his phone and orders a dozen Subway six inch sandwiches.

12:41 AM

He goes into his wallet and he divies his cash semi-evenly into twelve piles. For him, it's okay if some piles get 10, some 5, the other, as long as they all have like. Some cash.

12:42 AM

After he places the order, he goes over to his computer, and turns on his printer. Is it fair to say that there is a printer in the house?

This is exactly why I asked for item lists… But alright

I'm sowwwy

I didn't think to talk about like. normal household items

12:44 AM

or things I considered normal, I had no idea how much time in this campaign would be spent in Fungus house, although I'm not complaining.

12:49 AM

He types out on pieces of paper in an elegant, but still very legible, font: "Hello. I am a servant of the Fungus. The Fungus has chosen me to speak through to you. The Fungus is something divine... they are a being that has come to this world. They are going to swallow it up, consume it. We live in a dying world, and we are to be the servants of the Fungus. The Fungus has blessed me with gifts- it has given me this righteous blade. If you do its bidding, it will bless you with gifts, too. Gifts that could give you powers over other people. Your mission is simple. Belto Shelk is an enemy. He is an evil, disgusting, despicable man who represents nothing. He is a representation of the worst things about this universe- an empty front, a pretender, a liar, taking from the hurt to give to himself. He deserves to rot first. However, he is protected. Belto Shelk can't be hurt, but his supporters can. Show them your anger! Let them feel the pain you have felt, and then you will receive a divine blessing. Do it in the name of the Fungus. Let them know we are coming. Eat this note after reading it. Internalize its truth." He prints twelve copies of this.

12:51 AM

Then, he waits until the subway sandwiches come in.

12:53 AM

(should I wait for you to respond or just assume they come in)

They come in.

POGGERS

12:56 AM

Grobber, still chuckling, opens up the sandwiches, and carefully places the psychedelics in the sandwiches where they can't easily be seen, then returns the sandwiches to their original wrapping. He washes the knives and the money, and wipes fingerprints off of them. He takes out a dozen plastic sealable bags, and creates 12 bags, each one containing: -A Drugged Sandwich -Some money -A knife -A copy of the note.

12:57 AM

He puts some gloves on, and puts them all in a backpack, before leaving his house and calling an Uber.

12:58 AM

He paces back and forth, nodding to himself until the uber arrives.

The Uber arrived, pulling up in front of the house.

He gets in. "Hey, can you take me to downtown Avengard?"

"Alright." He started driving.

"Hey, I'm n-not at, er... in Avengard usually, and I just want to go to a bar downtown. Are there any bad streets I should avoid?"

"I’d assume so, yeah."

"...You have any idea which streets they are, s-so I can know to stay away?"

"I do have some idea of that." (edited)

"... ...Can you tell me?"

"It’s not really in my job description, but I guess I could. I’ve been fired like twice in the past 2 days, job security's really at an all time low for me."

"...Isn't it healthy as someone who ferries travelers around to know the ins and outs of the city to give them advice?"

"Yeah, probably."

1:11 AM

"Say, I have to ask… You ever been to a subway recently?"

1:11 AM

"No, no it wasn’t a subway… It was a… A… Convenience store."

1:11 AM

"Subway was the psycho guy."

Grobber freezes up a little.

1:12 AM

"...I go to convenience stores pretty frequently. I d-don't really like the whole... control that big chains have over the market. I like corner stores. Have everything I need."

1:12 AM

"Why?"

"You just… Looked familiar. Don’t worry about it."

Grobber tries to get a look at the driver in the mirror. Does he recognize the driver?

It’s the guy from last night.

Grobber's eyes widen.

1:15 AM

"...Maybe we were both shopping at the same store a couple days ago? I've had run ins with previous uber drivers like that."

"No, I… I swear I saw you in the weirdest thing… Never mind, don’t worry about it. You’d probably think I’m crazy."

1:18 AM

After a tiny pause. "You ever see a guy with bandages for a head? Like… All bandages. White suit to complete the look. Waving around a gun, shooting people. Absolute maniac."

"I don't get out much. I haven't, uh... seen anything like that. It's been on the news?" (edited)

"News has been weird lately. Feels like… Like everything’s suddenly changed, you know? Like we’re suddenly in some big drama movie. At least us side characters get to stay safe away from it, right? My role oughta be over by now." He sighed.

"...I think I remember where I saw you. You wanna hear it?" (edited)

"Yeah, sure. Hit me with it."

"M-my girlfriend works, uh, in this clinic. She's good at what she does. But she has some hard nights, ahem. There are some nights, sometimes late at night where I have to cover her shifts. They're lonely nights, and it gets boring, it all blends together..."

1:23 AM

"Anyway."

1:24 AM

He shakes his head. "I had a dream a while ago, of me working in that clinic. I think you were in it. But there was something else there." He shakes his head again. "It was a weird nightmare. I wish I remember it more clearly... Freaky coincidence, huh?" He tries to manifest his best trying-to-make-himself feel better laugh.

"Yeah, sounds wild. You dream about the weirdest things when you work. When I was back at Subway, I swear… My mind was STUCK on sandwiches. They like… Destroyed me, you know? They defined my existence. Work's a real pain, sometimes."

"You really thought that much about sandwiches? You couldn't, heh, really have gotten that fixated about Subway sandwiches, could you? What would you do if you saw a Subway sandwich right now?"

"I dunno. Feels like cars are my thing now, you know? I used to be the Sandwich Artist… Now I’m the Uber Driver. It’s a real complex identity crisis I’m going through."

"And you ran into some psycho during your time as a sandwich g- sandwich artist? And you, uh... Hm. Was that the bandage guy?"

"Yeah, that was him. He goddamn… He shot me! And he saw absolutely nothing wrong with it! Just went about his day! He also killed a few people, but that feels less important to me, you know? I didn’t even know the victims, couldn’t even tell you their names."

1:35 AM

((So excited for the day someone smokes enough crack to understand what I meant by this character))

He swallows. "Wow, he shot you..." He holds back a smirk. "And you hold that experience at the same level of whatever happened... at a convenience store... with someone like me?" (edited)

1:35 AM

am i allowed to make that edit

"Well, it was recent, you know? Both of them were. They’re defining moments of my week."

1:36 AM

"Really, of my life. I can’t name a single more confusing moment of my life than getting shot and getting… Well, that part’s too confusing to explain."

"This all happened in one week!?" He speaks out. "I'm sorry, it must be horrible." "...Two things that confounding in one week. Gotta be a statistical anomaly or something. You didn't cross the road with any black cats or anything, heh- you might be cursed!"

"But it was also kind of exciting, you know? You ever like… Enter mortal peril? Like, what I threatened to crash this car right now. Just drive right into a wall. You’d make it out, but you wouldn’t know that? It’d be weirdly exciting wouldn’t it? The adrenaline, I mean."

1:38 AM

"Not that I’m threatening you or anything. I’m really not the murderous type."

"Heheh, yeah, I get it. Recently, I had a bit of an... incident myself. Got the blood pumping." He has another fake laugh. "You wanna hear?"

"Oh yeah! Tell on!"

"My girlfriend, well..." The Fungus looks out the window into the distance. "I really shouldn't be, err, telling you about this... but my girlfriend has some pretty severe mental health issues. Her mental health has been on the decline for a long time."

1:41 AM

"Just this last week, she tried to attack me and a couple others. Had to get her committed."

1:41 AM

"She was yelling about something... something about some mushroom or something." He shakes his head.

1:41 AM

"It's terrible to watch someone go through that, err- y'know. To see someone so caught up on something only they can see. It broke my heart."

"Isn’t your girlfriend working in a clinic? Seems like a tough place to work when you’re a psycho?"

"That's why she's had to take days off. She's not supposed to have people cover her shift, but... with things getting worse..."

"Sorry if it sounds like I’m interrogating you, I’ve just got a really weird memory for these kinds of small details. Life's in the little details, you know?"

"Of course." Grobber gives a wistful grin. "She-she, em..." "Yeah." "In the past month or so, sometimes it feels like I'm working half her job. Not that I'm complaining though- I'd do anything for her in her time of need. Still... had a nasty dream about the place... and then, well, she's had to go away."

1:46 AM

"Who knows? Maybe I'll start working Uber!"

"Nah, I’m sure your job’s just fine as is. We’ve all got our roles to play, as they say. Just cruising down the road of life. That’s probably a real metaphor that’s been used at some point in time. I’m really on fire with this Uber stuff, you see?"

"Heh- yeah you are. I'm glad you've found a knack."

1:50 AM

"...I don't think you ever told me about those streets to steer clear of!"

"Hahaha! Don’t go stealing my thing!" Awkward laughter. "No really, this is. This is really it. Don’t go stealing it."

"...I won't become an Uber driver. I p-promise."

"Anyway, we’re almost there. Be sure to give me a great review, I could really use the boost here."

He nods. "People like us... we've got to look out for each other, huh?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"Don't worry, I'll leave you a good review."

1:55 AM

Grobber looks out through the windows, sighing. He looks at the city streets.

1:55 AM

Counts the number of cars he sees.

The Uber finally pulled over on the side of the street.

1:56 AM

((End session))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

The uber has pulled over on the side of a street.

Grobber nods to the driver and asks: "H-hey, ehm... did you ever tell me about those, eh, bad streets, eh?"

"No, I don't think I did."

Grobber gets out of the car.

8:06 PM

He looks around. Does he see anybody?

Yeah, there's quite a few people about.

Grobber walks up to one of them. "...Hey, I-I'm new here... I'm trying to find a friend that s-said they ended up in a bad part of town near here... are there any streets nearby where you think I could find them?"

((Roll))

The guy Grobber asks can name a general area but not anything specific.

Grobber nods and goes in that general area.

Grobber is now in a much poorer neighborhood of avengard. (edited)

Awesome

8:16 PM

He looks around. Are there any homeless people around?

Quite a few yeah.

Grobber walks down the street steadily, passing out a bag to each homeless person he runs into, maybe exchanging a quick greeting with any that address him, before walking along the street, continuing to pass them out until he's out. After he's done, he returns to the place where the Uber dropped him off.

The uber is gone.

Grobber nods and orders another one on his phone.

While Grobber waits for his new uber, there are several teenagers laughing at him from across the road.

Grobber looks up at the teenagers and yells "H-hey punks! Wh-what's up with you all! Punks!"

They just laugh harder.

"Yeah? Y-you got something to fucking say? What's up? Punks!?!?"

They whisper something to each other, which causes them to laugh harder. 1 of the girls is visibly the butt of this joke.

"W-what are you saying? You a-assholes!" Grobber begins crying. "W-what did I do? W-what did I say?"

"He's like a fucking baby!" One of them blurts out. "You think if they made a baby longer it'd look that gangly?"

"Sh-shut up! Shut up!" Grobber begins walking towards them. "You have to shut up!"

"Guys, I don't think you want to piss off a homeless person..." The girl who's clearly at the bottom of the foodchain here. "Aw, lighten up. He looks like he'd break in half from a slight push." Other girl. "My father says hunting the homeless is free entertainment that helps keep the city clean. It's true!" Third girl.

"I'm not-" He stops where he is and begins to stomp on the ground. "I'm not homeless! F-fffff-" He tries to get words out, but only ends up spitting on the ground. "I have money! I have a home! You guys are f-fucking punks! Leeches! You fucking! Belto Shelk leeches! LEECHES! LEECHES! LEECHES! LEECHES! YOU FUCKING LEECHES!" He just yells at them.

They laugh even harder.

Grobber takes out his phone and records them, while crying. "T-these teenagers... they beat me! They attacked me, and hurt me... th-these punks, they said nasty, awful things! I've never been so hurt... they beat me, I'm so alone, and so lost..."

"Oh nooooo, he's filming us, we're so dead!" Sarcastic tone. "Look at how emotional he's getting from a bunch of highschoolers... Is this guy (ableist slur)ed!?" "Ugh, no paparazzi. My fanclub needs a recommendation letter first." These are all different people.

Grobber stops recording and then uploads the video to his twitter. (Do I need to post this in a channel or. How do I do this)

((Just say you uploaded a video))

8:47 PM

((Don't show what it is))

He screams out. "I'm g-gonna show this to the cops! You're going to hell! for this!!!!"

"Cops don't decide between heaven or hell. Most of them are rotting down in there anyway." An adult man walked over to them smoking a cigarettes. "So sorry you had to deal with these types of delinquents, good sir. City is what it is, eh?" I don't fucking know how to convey his exact vibe through words he looks like this and has that smile constantly:

"Umm... hi... these guys h-have, er... been harassing me!"

"Right, so why don't you shoo along, girls? 'Fraid to say it, but I am armed, and my temper tends to be a tad short this time of day." The guy.

Grobber just kind of basks in amazement. Maybe the good guys do win after all.

The girls just kind of slowly scatter away in terror, but the man just grabs one of them by the wrist. "Sorry honey, but you're needed." "Eww..." The girl. "Not in that way, jesus. Fuck's up with these teenage brats, am I right?" He turned to Grobber. "No manners in 'em."

"E-exactly... I was just trying to enjoy an evening... and... and... I was harassed by these hooligans!" He belts out in anger.

He pulled out a knife and held it up to the girl's throat. "Don't you sometimes wanna just...?" He made a motion like cutting open her throat, and she yelped in fear. "Jesus woman, calm down. What are you, atheist?"

9:04 PM

Grobber's face sours, but he does nothing.

"Nah? That's too bad. Thought you'd be my kinda guy for a second there. Oh well, plenty of fish in the sea, eh?" The guy.

"...Y-you're not gonna... ehm, use that on me, would you? Heh-eh-ehh..."

"Whaaaat? On a civilian? No way. I ain't exactly the pope, but I got rules too, ya know?" The man. "I'm a civilian! Can't you let me go!?" The girl. "Nah, you left that little title a while ago. I'll chop you to little bits right here if you don't quiet down, you bitch." The man again.

"Ah... so you're a keeper of justice?" He stays a little wary, but his frown turns into a more woozy expression. "W-w-wonderful you show up here in my time of need..."

"You could call me that. Name's Jeff. Jeff Johnner. You?" He put the knife away and held out his now free hand for a handshake.

He extends his hand to give him a handshake. "I'm Grobber- G-grobber Brentwood."

The girl elbowed Jeff and tried to run. Jeff quickly took out a gun and fired 2 shots on either side of her. "I swear to god, can you be silent for a single fucking minute? That little 'evolution' thing you kids learn about in school better start being real real fast, or we're about to move past forgivable offenses." She froze.

"...So... um... what's your opinion, on, like, God, and all that stuff?"

"Consider it a hobby." Jeff handcuffed the girl to his arm. "And you, where's the introduction? Don't you know it's rude not to introduce yourself when everyone else does?" He turned back to Grobber. "I told you, no manners at all. Animals."

"Y-yeah, animals... Heh-heh... and your name is? Heh..."

"S-S..." The girl. "Well come on then! We don't have all day!" Jeff. "Sophie Wight..." "And what do you say after your name?" Jeff. "...?" Sophie. "It's nice to meet you! Come on now, say it!" Jeff.

"So, uhm... are we going to take this person to jail? Do I need to make out, like, uhhh... a, like, affidavit or something?"

"She's going somewhere a little worse than jail. Worse for her, at least. No need to concern yourself with it."

Grobber swallows. "You mind if I ask you a political question?"

"All for it. Nothing but friendly politics between friends, eh?"

"What's your opinion on Belto Shelk?"

"Not a fan. Consider me the free-thinking 1%."

Grobber nods to himself, and reassures himself. "N-nice... I hate Belto Shelk..." He looks at Sophie with newfound anger.

"Yeah, what about you Sophie? Can I call you Sophie? Or is it Ms. Wight." Jeff. "S-Sophie is fine..." "And the voting question? Who were you for?" Jeff. "I've... I've never voted." Sophie. "And aren't we all better for it, huh?" Jeff turned back to Grobber.

Grobber gives a slight chuckle, and smiles. "H-heheh... yeah."

"Anyway, I should hurry along with this little bitch here. Get 'er out of your legs and all that. A real pleasure meeting you."

"...Will this girl- will she get me in trouble after all of this?"

"This girl's gotten a lot of us in trouble, let's hope that's the last time. Just don't bring this little meeting up to anyone, and we'll be right as rain."

Grobber nods. "Right as rain, right as rain, right as rain... who is 'us'?"

"Nothing for you to worry about." He turned away. "So long!" Jeff pulled Sophie away as she tried to call for Grobber's help.

Grobber swallows, looking at her. Was she the 'bottom-of-the-food-chain' girl?

Yes she was, actually.

9:35 PM

The uber arrived.

Grobber puts his hands up to his face in anguish. "Gw....gwagh!" He puts up a hand to his Uber, and then trails behind the two of them, out of sight, before calling 911.

Jeff tossed the girl in the back of a large truck, and drove off. "This is 911, what is your emergency?" The phone call.

"...I...I...I...I called this number accidentally. I'm sorry."

"Seriously? You're hogging up the line on accident? You could've just killed a man, sir! What the hell is wrong with you? We're not a prank call line!"

"It was a mistake... I-I pressed the wrong button... I'm sorry..." Grobber begins to cry again.

"It's 3 separate buttons! 3 of them! And that's not including the goddamn call button!"

He hangs up and gets in the uber.

9:43 PM

He wipes away his tears. "Sorry... sorry... long night."

The unremarkable driver does not respond. They simply wait to know the location.

"Bring me to Shelk... at-" (He remarks a location near his house,)

The driver drives to near Grobber's house.

He gets out of the Uber and steadily meanders to his house.

He makes it.

He walks in his house and breathes in and out. What a day.

9:48 PM

He looks around. Are there any impending catastrophes?

None. The place is empty.

(would you be opposed to me ending session rn? Is there anything else you wanted to get done?)

((Do you mean by going to sleep? No problem with that))

Sounds good. Grobber goes to sleep.

Grobber finishes the chapter.

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

4: Almighty Grasp

12:08 PM

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber woke up the next day.

Grobber goes to the kitchen and pours some water into a cup, and drinks in, peeking through the front blinds.

Looks like a normal day in Shelk.

He nods, then returns back to his room. He picks up the 'magic' bong and sets it on his desk before looking at his computer

8:19 PM

He bites his lip, and looks behind himself anxiously before googling "The Fungus Avengard"

Nothing.

8:21 PM

There was a knock on Grobber's front door.

He nods to himself, and breathes in and out. He looks at the bong and shakes his head before going to his front door, and opening it.

It's Fritz. He's cheerful as usual. "Good morning, Grobber. How are you?"

"I'm doing well..." He sighs and gives an earnest smile. "...Yeah, I'm doing well. I'm... ehm... happy to see you, Fritz... ehm... heheh..."

"I was hoping you might go on a hike with me. Seek some fresh air, stretch our legs."

"Yeah! Sorry, we ehm... spoke about it yesterday. I'm sorry we got interrupted. We could go! W-we should go! Yeah! Yeah."

"Great." He smiled, before walking off.

"Oh! E-er.. ehm... okay!" Grobber follows Fritz, sweating through his clothes.

Frtiz stopped at a bus station. "The next bus there should be arriving soon. Have you ever gone?"

"On the bus? Ehm... a couple times, but... I'm not really too big on being in public spaces. I, heheh... get nervous."

"No, no... I was referring to the mountain."

"Ah." He kicks at the ground. "My dad took me, once."

"Ah, your father. What a great man."

"...Yeah..." Grobber rolls his bottom lip back and forth between his teeth. "It's weird. For me dad was just... my dad. But other people saw him as like... a person, heheh..."

8:36 PM

"Sorry, nevermind, I guess that's kinda dumb."

"No. I find it quite rare for someone to speak anything truly dumb."

"...Sometimes, I feel like my actions are so confused that they conflict each other. So if I do one thing one time, and another thing right after, then which of the things was dumb?"

"Whichever you feel is dumb. So, depending on the time, perhaps neither is dumb?" The bus arrived.

Grobber nods to himself. "... I guess." He starts to get on the bus. "...I do a lot of things that I think are... dumb... but when the time comes... it feels like the only thing I can do... and a lot of the time, I know I would do it again."

8:44 PM

He shakes his head. "I don't know, it doesn't really matter, my life is real low stakes."

Fritz got on as well. "Low stakes? I don't believe 'stakes' have any meaning on life."

Grobber shakes his head. "No matter what I do, at the end of the day, I'll still be fine. I've got it easy... and it sucks. I can't even get the easy stuff right. I'm lucky I have it so good, that I can't mess it up, and yet it's still so hard."

8:47 PM

"...I can't help but respect all the people that manage to make it work while hurting."

"But without those things, you wouldn't be Grobber Brentwood, would you?"

Grobber hangs his head and scratches at himself before looking up at Fritz. "...What good is even being Grobber Brentwood? I feel better being anything else."

"Is that so?"

"...I mean a little, yeah. At least."

"But don't you consider yourself lucky? Of all possible yous, you are you."

"I'm lucky to live in my house. I'm lucky to know the people I know. I'm lucky that so many people... try to help me. I'm lucky that I know Grace, and I'm lucky that I know you. I'm lucky that I met the nice girl that visited yesterday that said she wanted to make me happy. I'm lucky that I don't have to work right now... But I feel like all of those people... Carolyn, Grace, you, the money, the house... they're unlucky to have me."

"Don't be ridiculous, Grobber. If you were a burden upon others, you would not exist." The bus arrived.

"...Hm? What do you mean by that?" Grobber gets off the bus.

He got off, and began walking up the mountain. "Suppose for a moment that we, or anyone for that matter, considered you a burden. What do you think we would have done?"

"...You might leave, and... you could go away... but I think I would still exist. A-alone, erm... maybe, but I'd exist."

"Would you? This may seem like a bizarre question, but what do you believe makes you you?"

"...I'm just a collection of particles, wandering around. That's all I'm really worth, really."

"So you are the body that you hold? Is that your answer?"

"Yeah. I mean. If it's here, I'm here. If it's gone, I'm gone."

"That's incorrect. Suppose I were able to enter your head, and remove all of your memories. Not mere typical amnesia, I would truly remove every last shred of the person known as Grobber Brentwood. Your brain would essentially have the knowledge of a baby, but it would still be your body. Your brain. Who you are is not mere flesh, it is information. A sum of information amassed over years of lived experience. Those memories are not the memories of Grobber Brentwood. They are Grobber Brentwood. Do you follow?"

"...Yeah, I guess. But as I stand right now, I'm just a person. I make actions and I interact with the world. And I will make actions and interact with the world as I, er... do. Or whatever. But even if everyone... and everything left me... I'd still be me. I wouldn't be erased."

"What I mean is... If those memories are you, what happens if those memories are changed? If we considered you a burden, and left... You would not have the life experiences of Grobber Brentwood."

"...But there's nothing special about this version of me. I'm just one of the endless possibilities. I'm not special compared to the other Grobbers that could've existed. I don't have any more of a right to exist."

"You are the only Grobber that exists. Through the infinite possibilities that occured in life, you were the Grobber Brentwood that prevailed. And likewise, I am the Fritz Bachman that prevailed."

"...And for what? Why does me being the Grobber that made it matter? Why should I feel anything about it, despite the fact that I'm the one that has the responsibility to actually do stuff now?"

"Do you not believe life has value?"

"...I mean, like... Life is obviously good... right?" He gestures to his surroundings. "Like... life should be protected, because life is good. But individual lives... well... my life isn't important. I'm so small."

"Are you? Who defines what lives are small are what lives are important? Could you name me a public official from a foreign land, like... France. In France, I'm certain that person means a lot to them. They must seem quite important. Yet to us, they are so small and distant. Insignificant in our daily lives."

"...Yeah, I guess. But people here, they... well." He looks up at Fritz and opens his mouth, but shakes his head and looks back down, before walking some more. "...I guess I am lucky. At least to be where I am. But I can do so much better... and I'm not good at it."

"You came into this world to accomplish one simple task. Being Grobber Brentwood. Succeeding at that is a meaningful enough success in and of itself, I believe."

"The people that brought me into this world had their future stolen, and I'm living a perverse version out of it for them. They never would have wanted it for me." He shakes his head.

"And? Are they alive to voice those concerns? Now, they merely exist in memory. Their opinions on things, thoughts, tastes, anything really. They only exist in our memories now. If we forgot them, they would cease to exist. If we decided they thought certain things, or didn't think others... Then it would be indisputably true. I believe your parents would be proud of you, Grobber. Why don't you join me and turn it into fact?"

"..." He shakes his head. "If I could believe it, it would make me feel better... but if I just believed that my parents would be proud of me, if I believed that everyone really liked me, if I believed that everything was okay, no matter what... then how would I ever convince myself to be better?"

"What's the point in that? A version of us where we are 'better' people, in a moral sense, does not exist. It was not selected to exist. We are already the very best people we can be. Isn't life much happier this way?"

BM: "...Maybe. Maybe." He nods to himself.

9:47 PM

"...But how do I be happier if I'm already unhappy?"

"The question lies in what keeps you unhappy. Loss? Grief? Pain? Of course, from a direct point of view these may seem painful. Miserable even. But everyone faces trials and tribulations. Everyone loses some things. Because without loss, they would not be themselves. You know, I hadn't originally intended to actually go on this hike with you. I only did it to make you feel better after your argument with that girl. If you had not suffered pain, we would not be standing where we are today." They arrived at the top of a cliffside. "And what a beautiful view, is it not? Your suffering allowed you to live the life of Grobber Brentwood. And Grobber Brentwood is here to see this now."

Grobber looks out at the cliffside. He looks at the edge and winces a little bit, before steadily edging to it and looking out the edge. "...I wonder if I would've thought it would be worth it if I got asked before." He nods. "But it is worth it now."

"Speaking of loss, did you know a man died here once. He slipped and fell... All the way down. And yet, his boyfriend continued to be a successful businessman for years. He retired only days ago. Suffering was not his burden. He lived a successful life, in spite of what he had lost. Or no, I suppose I should say it was because of what he had lost. That is human nature. We are who we are because of what occurs to and around us. So should we not be grateful for our pain, because it has allowed us to be ourselves? Life is simply a matter of perspective like that. Once you love your pain, life can only be happy."

Grobber turns around, and eyes Fritz from the side, before turning back to the cliff and taking a step back or so. "...I had a teacher once who said that we can't control our emotions, only our actions. We can't control what we feel, only what we do. I always wondered if it was true. I've never been able to convince myself either way. There are a lot of things that we say we can't control even though we can. It helps turn away accountability. It helps ourselves allow us to offput responsibility for our misery..."

"I would say I feel quite the opposite. We have no choice in what we do. All our actions are defined strictly by what has occurred to us and what we know. Our memories influence our actions and our actions become memories that influence all future actions. The only things we choose are how we feel about those actions."

Grobber walks closer to the edge again, and peers off of it, before sighing, and turning away, and laying down, staring at the sky. "If everything makes you feel happy, then what's the point of doing anything? If you love pain, do you have any reason to stop feeling it?"

"I do things because I must do them. And simply because I can enjoy life no matter what does not mean that happiness does not bring me more happiness than unhappiness. I simply choose to enjoy it to the best of my ability."

"...Ah... eh. okay." "...You ever tried kebabs? Like, real authentic kebabs?"

"I don't believe so."

"...They're pretty good. I'd... uh. Recommend trying them sometimes. It could... uh. You would like them. Er, uh- you could like them. I hope you like them. If you, uh, ever go and try it. Which you don't have to. It's okay. I like kebabs."

"I would love to try."

Grobber smiles, and sits up. "It was a good day for this, wasn't it."

"It was."

He stands up and breathes in. "Thanks for taking me on the hike! It's been... er... a good time, yeah."

"Heading home already?"

"...Ehm... no, I was just, heh... stretching my legs... heh-heh..."

10:37 PM

He goes over to a nearby tree and leans on it.

"That's the point of the exercise, is it not? Stretching our legs."

"Haha- yeah!" He continues to lean against the tree. He looks back at Fritz and smiles before looking back into the distance, counting the clouds.

((Roll))

There are 14 clouds.

He nods to himself.

10:42 PM

He steadily heads over to stand across from Fritz, looking back at him frequently.

He is just standing there.

Grobber breathes in and out a few times. and he counts the seconds to himself for a while.

Those seconds sure do be passing

After about 15 minutes, he looks down and cracks his neck. "W-well, heh. I have, ehm... some errands, and I think I should head back."

10:53 PM

"You can stay here, if you'd like! Or come back, heh heh..."

"Alright. Have a good day, Grobber."

Grobber starts to head back.

10:54 PM

He walks back in the hike, and once he's out of eyeshot, he checks his phone for anything.

Nothing.

He chews his lip and continues walking. He goes back and waits at the bus stop.

The bus arrived eventually.

Grobber steps on and waits, sighing.

(session end?)

The bus arrived near Grobber’s home.

((Saturday))

The bus arrived near Grobber’s home.

Grobber gets out of the bus and walks into his house, sighing.

2:42 PM

He steps into his living room. "I know how I could've enjoyed that hike a little more..."

2:43 PM

He goes to his room and starts to smoke some dank weed.

The weed is definitely kicking in.

Good... good.

3:22 PM

Grobber smiles and nods to himself.

3:23 PM

His eyes gravitate towards the magic bong, and he stands up, approaching it.

3:23 PM

He chuckles to himself some, and walks to it. He grins before taking some hits out of it.

((How many))

He's only taken one or two hits before, but right now, pretty fucked up and experienced it, he'll take 7-8, around as much as he took from the regular one.

The first 3 have no visible effects. On the fourth, Grobber's head sprouts horns. On the 5th, a whip constructede out of solid air appears in Grobber's hand. On the seventh, Grobber gets hooves for feet.

"Oh okay."

3:34 PM

"Hahaha.... hahahahaahaha..."

3:35 PM

He laughs to himself and nods, then going outside.

3:36 PM

He walks to a shopping mall.

3:36 PM

Wait.

3:36 PM

He makes it to his front step before walking back to his house and going to take a shower.

3:36 PM

He steps into the shower and takes a hot one.

Nothing.

wait nothing as in nothing changes or all the things went away

Nothing changes.

epic

3:38 PM

oh he wasn't really trying to undo the highness he was trying to get the weed smell off of him.

3:39 PM

Grobber puts on a new sweatshirt and sweatpants before strolling to the mall like a gigachad.

Grobber can read the minds of people he sees.

YOOOOOO

3:41 PM

Do they have any thoughts on seeing the goat person?

No one is really paying any attention to him.

...

3:43 PM

Grobber goes up to someone. "Hey, do you see my goat horns and hooves?"

"Uh, yeah... Nice cosplay I guess." What a weirdo, who approaches someone for that kind of thing?

"Oh. Hah. Tru-huh-huh-huh-huhuhuhuhhhhh..." he woozily says.

"Nice talking to you." They try to move away. So many assholes in this city.

Grobber is just standing back up. He walks to his house. Grinning.

3:57 PM

He pulls out his phone, and calls Grace.

She doesn't pick up.

He sighs.

He looks outside, and back to his computer.

4:05 PM

He loads up "Gay Baby Genshin."

Not a real game unfortunately.

Fuck. "Genshin Gay Baby Jail."

Today's daily is to figure out funny hypothetical dailies because I am lazy.

Fuck yeah

4:08 PM

The Fungus cracks his knuckles.

"Dailies in a game like this can be used for any number of ways. But generally, they serve one purpose: to instill a long-term time commitment to a process. For things like deep hidden quirky mounts, or rare titles, or exotic weapon skins, As for what events they can be- they can be rare minigames. Dedicated trailing missions, crafting tasks, emoting tasks, and other, nontraditional gameplay mechanics can be used as a way to gauge the player's familiarity with the games base but unused gameplay mechanics- like MMO movement or use with the UI screens. They can be used as a social signal for more experienced players.They can also be used for more quirky plotlines- like scenes with more obscure or weird characters, ore more unique scenarios that don't fit the game's tone."

So true.

He continues gaming.

((Saturday))

Grobber has completed his dailies.

Grobber nods and sits back. What else could he do?

2:10 PM

He nods to himself and stands up, going to his old bedroom, and picking out a book: 'The Brothers Karamazov'

2:12 PM

He studies it feverishly, turning to parked pages and reading sections multiple times.

2:13 PM

He pulls out a notebook and sets it to the side of the book, nodding up and down.

2:14 PM

He pauses.

2:14 PM

Grobber looks up "Jeff Johnner" on his phone.

2:14 PM

Do any google results come up?

((Roll))

2:19 PM

There’s a bunch of conspiracy theories about the guy.

Grobber bites his lip, returning back to the book and paper.

2:20 PM

He copies some quotes down from the book to his notepad.

2:20 PM

“And what's strange, what would be marvelous, is not that God should really exist; the marvel is that such an idea, the idea of the necessity of God, could enter the head of such a savage, vicious beast as man.”

2:21 PM

“I think the devil doesn't exist, but man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness.”

2:21 PM

“A beast can never be as cruel as a human being, so artistically, so picturesquely cruel.”

2:23 PM

"It’s not God that I do not accept, you understand, it is this world of God’s, created by God, that I do not accept and cannot agree to accept."

2:24 PM

He swallows to himself, and returns to his room. He opens a drawer labelled "OLD SCHOOL SHIT" and weaves through manuscripts, papers, and essays before reaching a box full of books that he opens.

2:25 PM

He slovenly unpacks it, leaving books on the floor, until he reaches one close to the bottom: the Bible.

2:27 PM

He returns to the kitchen, laying out the notebook, the bible, the Brothers Karamazov, and his pen. He begins to write feverishly in his notebook, weaving through both books, referencing them as he scrawls.

2:28 PM

He tears pages out, filling the table's surface with pages of terrible handwriting.

2:30 PM

Eventually, after writing several papers, he gathers them loosely into a notebook, chuckling lightly to himself.

2:31 PM

He shoves all his stuff in a backpack and travels to the nearest Catholic church.

There’s an old church nearby. It’s frequented mostly by rich people.

He goes there, then.

2:39 PM

After arriving, he walks in, looking for someone that looks like they works there.

Father Marvin Valentine is a cheery old man. He’s currently praying. You’ve probably met him through your parents, but it’s doubtful he’d remember you.

"...Eh-ehm... f-f-fuck... heh... eh..."

2:50 PM

He turns to walk away before turning back.

2:50 PM

"..."

2:50 PM

"Are there, ehm... confessional rooms here?"

"Do you have something you wish to say, son?" He stopped praying, and turned to look at Grobber. "They’re right this way." He motioned his hand towards (wherever confessionals are, I’ve never been in a church).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confession_(religion)#:~:text=The%20Catholic%20Church%20teaches%20that,make%20amends%20for%20the%20sins).

Confession (religion)

Confession, in many religions, is the acknowledgment of one's sins (sinfulness) or wrongs.

2:53 PM

tl;dr you go into a room and tell a priest about the bad things you've done so you become wholesome again

2:54 PM

Grobber hastily goes to a confession room, where he unzips his backpack and pulls out his notebook.

((I know what they are from cultural osmosis but the layout is unfamiliar))

ah gotcha

Father Marvin entered the other confessional.

"..."

3:00 PM

"Fa... f-fa..."

3:00 PM

He clutches his notebook.

3:01 PM

"Father, I have something to confess. My faith has been... wandering. My mind has been swarming with questions about the Lord."

"Ask away, my son."

"Recently I've been unhappy, father. I've had some untraceable thing, hanging over my life, as a shroud." He recites, rhythmically. "It has led my faith to waver. It has led me to do some things I regret."

"Is that so?" He paused. "Regret is always the first step towards improvement."

He chews. "Yes... but no matter what I do, I remain unhappy. My life feels empty, even in the hands of our Lord."

"The lord has a plan for us all, son. Maintain your course of improvement, and the lord shall grant you the happiness you seek."

His lip quivers. "Th-this cloud... you d-don't understand, e-erm..." His hands shake as he flips pages in his notebook. "...I met someone recently that claimed to act within the realm of God. He spoke that he acted as an extension of the church, but his methods were procrustean. This vigilante seemed more occupied with vengeance than with saving." He pauses. "This confused me, as I always felt of God as a savior, a sheperd amongst men. He wanted my help, I think, but I was frozen. I didn't know what to think." (edited)

"The lord's followers come in many forms. What did he ask of you?"

He looks at his notebook, and sighs.

3:24 PM

"He asked me to help him admonish a girl, but I thought it to be a crime."

"A crime?"

"Yes, it was dark, and he seemed agitated... the two of them left together."

He didn’t respond yet.

"...I'm not sure. I just feel so confused."

3:31 PM

"It doesn't help that this man spoke to me. It felt like he understood me, and the shadow lurking over my life. And he spoke of God... I confess that if he didn't do that, I might not have come here to confess."

"I’m sorry, son, but I’m afraid I don’t understand what sin you believe you’ve committed."

"...Father... what is the difference between art and pornography?"

"Art is beauty, son. It is the image of the lord displayed in all forms. None can truly capture the lord's greatness in any form, but the mere act of portraying such greatness in itself is divine. Man learns from this image. By looking into art, man improves and grows. Pornography is vile. It does not portray anything but sin, and glorify such lust."

"You say pornography is made to satisfy lower, carnal urges of flesh? That it's lacking in greater meaning? Do we not create to feel good? To be happy? Must every painting mean something great? Or can it mean something only to the artist?"

"Happiness comes not from ourselves. Giving ourselves happiness is a lie, son. Happiness is shared between the many. Good men gain happiness from the lord, because they are good men."

"To be happy... you have to be good... have you ever thought there might be people who aren't supposed to be happy? That God has cursed some of us, the great plan just has some people in misery on Earth?"

"If I thought that, it’d be the same as not believing in the lord."

"Yes, because God is good, and he cannot sin, correct?"

"Of course."

"The ultimate good is incapable of sin... a flame cannot give you frostbite." He turns the page, but then drops his notebook on the ground.

4:10 PM

He attempts to reach down and grab it, but the papers are all out of order.

4:10 PM

"Er-eh..."

4:10 PM

"....eh........"

4:10 PM

"..."

4:11 PM

"If it is evil to kill, would God not be an innocent lamb? Would God not only be able to combat evil through pure acts, such as creation? Who is it, then, that smites? Who is it, that envious narcissist.... incapable of truth? Who do you worship?"

"God combats evil by aiding them towards good."

"Heh-heheheh...hahahaha... 'aiding them towards good.' What would you say, then, to Noah, who had to see his world flood? What would you say to the millions of silent graves the rest left behind? What would you say to Aaron, after his sons were smote by God? What would you say to the Ethiopians, who were destroyed before the lord? What force could have destroyed them?" "What force could exist in the world that would do this? What could be lingering over the world, condemning these people to death? What could possibly, using the method of its own divine way, cast people, thousands, do death? What being could do this? It isn't the devil, for the devil loves revelry. Satan had coaxed the denizens of the antediluvian world, he was blowing wind into the sails of the Ethiopians, he had tempted the sons of Aaron. Satan had successfully cast them to rot..." His voice begins to shake. "Who could have possibly... what force is it that would destroy... destroy a rotten world?"

"Are you quoting something, son?"

"...Not anymore. I don't think I will need to, anymore. When Jesus was born, he found himself haunted by the Holy Ghost... his life was possessed by the spirit of the Lord... those surrounding him felt the influence of God..."

4:29 PM

"...And then he found he could perform miracles."

4:30 PM

"I... I am beginning to understand everything now."

4:36 PM

"I am sorry, Father. I feel I have wasted your time discussing trivial minutae. I have one sin I must confess to."

4:38 PM

"I have failed to do anything sooner."

4:45 PM

If he doesn't get a quick response, he'll leave the room.

Grobber leaves before he gets a response.

He goes back to his house, and begins to smoke more weed, while reading out of the bible. (edited)

The doorbell rings.

Grobber gets up, leaving his stuff on the table, and answers it.

It's Grace. She looks like she's been crying(more than usual). "...Sorry."

His demeanor changes. "S'fine. Come in." He holds the door open.

She entered, before crashing down on the couch.

"...You been good?" He moves over to her with bong in hand, offering it to her.

She doesn't take it. "...Not really. Went to Dana's, but she just stayed in her girlfriend's apartment all day. I... I don't like to be lonely."

"Shit yeah, I get that." Grobber takes a hit himself. "I don't know Dana, do I?" He goes back to his table and starts rearranging his stuff so it's less conspicuously disturbing.

"...Guess not."

"...Talked more with that neighbor guy today. Asked him how he was able to be so happy. He said he just chose to feel happy, reagrdless of what was happening." (edited)

5:05 PM

"...But I couldn't do it. It just doesn't make sense."

"I talked to that psycho too... Got her to... Take a deal to leave you alone. She's... She just doesn't make any sense. Talking about pausing movies or something..."

His lip quivers. "...Cool." He shakes his head. "...People." He goes to play a video game.

5:15 PM

"It's good you're here."

"Thanks."

5:17 PM

"Do you... Have any family?"

"Technically, I guess. Got uncles, an aunt or two. Maybe Gammie is still around." "...I stopped talking to them. Could be dead for all I know."

5:24 PM

"Don't have too many people around anymore."

"Me neither."

"...I only have one friend."

"It’s not a competition."

"......yeah."

5:39 PM

He goes back to his video game.

"It’s just… I haven’t spoken to my family in years. And first I hear of them, my sister’s in… She’s in the hospital. I don’t know what to do."

"...You know, when the stuff happened to my parents. They didn't die fast. Mom was in the hospital for thirteen days before she died. Dad was in a coma."

5:42 PM

"...When I saw them, I threw up. But it was my last chance to talk to them."

5:44 PM

"I hate hospitals. They're so clean, even though they're places of death. They have this nice facade... but they're lying. They're dens of..." He shakes his head. "But I don't know. I don't know if I would choose to go knowing how it would make me feel. I guess it was good for my mom to see me."

5:44 PM

"I don't know what happened to your sister. Might be different. I dunno."

"She’s… She wouldn’t recognize me, anyway."

"...Then it's up to you. Your choice." He shrugs.

"I know, it’s just… I don’t know how I'm supposed to feel."

"If you don't care, don't feel bad. To be honest, if I heard something about my uncles croaking, I don't think I would either. Everything goes to waste eventually. If something you care about is in danger, then that's something you have to contend with. The world already exerts enough of its will on you. Don't let it force you to feel like you need to feel a certain way. If you're sad about your sister... then I'm sorry."

"Feels like… Everything’s being dumped on me at once."

"...Sorry. I'll still be here."

She just took a deep breath.

6:02 PM

((Grobber: Wow, I’m having a reality shitty day. Sure hope no one comes in to trauma dump about their own family life Grace: https://tenor.com/view/rinavrs-kittygirled-sitting-professional-gif-25254339 ))

Grobber will take a breath too, and then scan her face for a few moments before continuing his game.

"I’m gonna crash here tonight. …Sorry."

"No problemo, what's mine is yours and all that."

She immediately went to sleep.

7:03 PM

It’s late night now.

7:03 PM

Like 11PM or so.

Sounds good

Gaming until midnight?

Yeah

Chapter 4 ends, it is now midnight.

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

5: Auspicious Guardian

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

What is grincer doing.

7:09 PM

Grobber

Grobber will wrap up gaming and look at Grace

She’s asleep.

"It's sad you're being put through this... but it's happening for a reason."

((What the fuck is that image.)) (edited)

Spunch bob

7:17 PM

Grobber will use a burner phone of his to order more psychedelics from his epic drug dealer

Kid Named Drug accepts.

Awesome

7:22 PM

Grobber, after checking Grace is asleep, will continue studying the bible and more books from his room.

This happens.

7:29 PM

How long is he doing this for

Like an hour and a half.

It is now 1:30AM

Grobber will sleep.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber woke up in his bed the next day.

"G-greughhh..." He does not feel particularly good.

2:06 PM

Is Grace still here?

Checking outside the room, it looks like Grace is still asleep on the couch.

He gives a weary smile. He gets on his computer and googles "The Fungus Avengard" and "The Fungus Shelk"

Several news articles pop up for The Fungus Avengard.

His eyes shoot open. A grin grows on his face as he clicks on them, and his left hand begins to quiver with excitement.

A bunch of homeless people attacked supporters of Belto Shelk around Avengard. They claimed to be working in the name of The Fungus. They were all clearly high and delusional. People are using this event to attempt to rally support for anti-homeless practices.

"It.... worked... oh my god... they're doing it! They- they're actually doing it! I-i-it's happening! I just had to wait... I just had to gather my faith!"

2:21 PM

He begins to laugh. "I can't believe this is all it took... I can't believe this is... I can't believe it..."

2:25 PM

"...I did something..." Tears stream from his eyes, and his voice becomes weepy, but he still can't stop the violent exhales from rushing out of him. "I was right..." (edited)

2:29 PM

He wipes his nose and smiles.

2:30 PM

"And just as I find my holy confirmation... just retribution is brought upon the wicked."

"What the hell are you saying...?" Grace got up with a yawn.

"Grace, can you eh fuckin, look at something for me? Trying to get a good input on it."

2:34 PM

"Feel like I'm going fucking crazy."

2:34 PM

"Wait there."

2:35 PM

He closes what he was doing on his computer and grabs his funny bong and then gets in front of her.

"What?"

"Okay. Just like, uh... fucking, watch this. Hold on." He takes five big hits from the funny magic bong. "What just happened from your perspective?"

None of the 5 hits change anything noticeable, aside from the 4th. This one grants him really good eyesight. "You just... Took a hit of a bong? What?"

"Heh, yeah. Exactly." He smiles and leans back. "This is what life is all about."

"Yeah. Pretty much."

"Ah..." He leans back. "...Fuck everyone else. We take what we can get."

"Hell yeah. Fuck 'em." She smiled a bit.

She checked the time. "I should go. I have an another appointment with that psycho."

"Alright." He's still leaning back. "Don't let her get to you. You aren't supposed to be the way she is. I don't think we even want to be."

"Yeah. Obviously." She got up.

He smiles at her as she leaves.

She left.

He waits a few moments after she leaves, and smiles to himself. He gets up and goes to a nearby Walmart, or similar large store

There's a close enough walmart.

Awesome. He goes to the outdoor cleaning aisle and grabs some sulfuric acid, amongst hydrogen peroxide and a few other items labelled for hot tub cleanup. He gets a few different insecticides, checking for a few of them to make sure they have sodium cyanide. He finishes off by grabbing a few cans of spray paint.

These are probably all purchasable. Idk I don't use walmart.

epic

3:43 PM

He goes home and stores them away. After turning on a VPN, he makes a new network of social media accounts. He tries to go for TheFungus on everything, but if it's taken he'll go for FungalMessiah

There is now a network of The Fungus accounts.

Fuck yeah. He starts posting a bunch of Pro-Fungus stuff, specifically on Twitter attempting to hijak the #StopTheFungus hashtag. For example "It is truly peculiar how many Philistines are parroting the same #StopTheFungus propaganda. The homeless are my shepherds, and they are hurt and wise. People would do well to remember that."

((Make the twitter thread))

Advehnt Guard

Online / twitter / FungalMessiah

It is truly peculiar how many Philistines are parroting the same #StopTheFungus propaganda. The homeless are my shepherds, and they are hurt and wise. People would do well to remember that. (edited)

The Fungus

It is truly peculiar how many Philistines are parroting the same #StopTheFungus propaganda. The homeless are my shepherds, and they are hurt and wise. People would do well to remember that. (edited)

@BigBeltoShelkFan: weirdo

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Seeing BigBeltoShelkFan's post, he chuckles.

4:00 PM

"Soon enough."

He grabs a camera, a face mask, a long coat and some combat boots, and goes out into the woods near his house.

4:11 PM

He also brings the spray paint.

This happens.

Epic. He finds a place in the woods that's pretty secluded, and sets the face mask and the long coat up with the combat boots. He spray paints them all red with some white spots and details scattered on them.

4:32 PM

He grins, then puts these things on. He puts the hood on his coat up, attempting to covers his eyes with it. He turns his camera on and points it at himself.

4:33 PM

"They all look at me. They all shudder in disgust."

4:34 PM

"I hear what they think."

4:34 PM

"Look at this fool Don Quixote, he is a raving lunatic!"

4:34 PM

"Does he truly think he fights giants that feast on men?!"

4:34 PM

"Does he truly believe the most noble men in our society to be wicked sorcerers that worship vice?"

4:35 PM

"He truly has the nerve to call these lowly peasant harlots and filthy prostitutes fair maidens and noble princesses?"

4:35 PM

"He truly chooses amongst all people, the homeless and the destitute to be his harbingers and messengers?"

4:35 PM

"What a miserable wretch! Does he think these good officers of the law to be pawns of a conspiracy out to get him too? I hope he gets what he deserves!"

4:36 PM

He gets louder and yells.

4:36 PM

"HOW LUCKY WE ARE, THAT OUR WORLD IS RULED BY THE SANE AND REASONABLE! IMAGINE OUR WORLD IF THERE WERE MORE PSYCHOPATHS LIKE HIM!" (edited)

4:37 PM

He walks away, finishing his narrative, but he continues yelling. "I AM DONE WATCHING THINGS HAPPEN! I HAVE WATCHED ENOUGH! I KNOW HOW IT ENDS!" (edited)

4:39 PM

"Who do you think caused the flood of Genesis? Whose hand did you think it was that smote sinners? What eldritch force has wrought judgement on the sinners and non-sinners alike?"

4:39 PM

"IT IS THE FUNGUS!"

4:40 PM

"IT IS HERE, AND IT IS GRANTING MIRACLES!"

4:40 PM

He walks towards the camera. "The sooner you realize what it is, the sooner you embrace it, the better you will be. They all laughed at Noah. They all died in the flood. It is all happening again."

4:41 PM

He ends the video.

4:46 PM

He uploads it to Youtube on the The Fungus account, with the description: 'There are giants in the earth in these days; and when the sons of God came in unto the daughters, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men and women which are of old, men of renown. And The Fungus sees the wickedness of man and woman is great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually. And it repents the Lord that he had made man and woman on the earth, and it grieves him at his heart. And the Fungus says, I will destroy man whom you have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.'

4:46 PM

He returns to his house.

Ehn/PC pinned a message to this channel. 9/17/2022 4:50 PM

((For easy access))

holsum

4:56 PM

When at home, he makes a few more posts on his other social media platforms repeating the same general points in his sanctimonious biblical style. (edited)

4:57 PM

He then goes to his bong and takes a few hits, getting into his bed and leaning back.

He takes a nap.

Grobber was awoken by a knock at his door.

Grobber shoots awake and then walks to his door, peeking through the peephole.

It’s Fritz.

He opens it. "Oh. Heh. Hey Fritz."

"Good morning, Grobber. How are you on this fine day?"

He looks outside. "Hehehehh... good enough. I've picked up a hobby recently, and... well, at least it's something to do."

"A hobby, hmm?"

"Yea, heheh... well, more of a practice. I've started to get more involved with religion."

"Is that so?" The bald old man says this.

5:51 PM

"Yessss... haha."

5:52 PM

"It's not everything, but at least it gives me something to talk to." (edited)

"Talk to?"

"...Yeah. I think that's the only reason why the church has survived so long. I think people just yearn for a community."

"That makes sense."

"...I'm glad."

"Did you enjoy our hike yesterday?"

"...Y-yeah, I guess."

"I’d like to go again sometime, before this all ends. If that’s no issue with you."

"Before 'this all ends?'"

"What about it?"

"What do you mean 'this all ends?' Is something happening soon?"

"Well, in a sense. All things end eventually."

"...Are you going to die?"

“…Oh, yes. Of course. Of course, that’s what I meant. I do appear to be quite old, after all."

Grobber gives him a

6:35 PM

"...A know when you're lying."

"Do you now?"

Grobber is just quiet.

6:39 PM

"A-Are you gonna hurt me?"

"Don’t be absurd. I’m not a violent person. Even if I were to try, I do believe you’d rather easily outmatch me."

"...I am a worried person. I am getting worried."

"There’s no need to worry, please." He held his hands up. "I’m quite frail."

6:56 PM

"Okay."

6:56 PM

"How long do we have to go to go on a hike?"

"I don’t know." He smiled, putting his hands back down. "I’m not so important as to know when things occur or do not occur."

7:00 PM

"O-okay."

7:00 PM

"Thanks for telling me."

"I truly am sorry if I’ve alarmed you."

"I'm sure you are... now I- now I'm aware, erm..."

7:02 PM

"Erm... uh."

7:02 PM

"yeah."

7:02 PM

"YEAH!"

"Hm?"

"Nothing. Haha. Yeah. I was just, heh. You know. Talking. Saying. Yeah."

"Yeah. Good one, heheheh..."

"I sense you don’t wish to speak with me."

"I can. eh, speak.

7:24 PM

...

7:24 PM

...

7:25 PM

If you have any other questions, heheheheh...."

"Hmm… I do have a question indeed. But please don’t take this the wrong way."

"Yes?"

"Are you The Fungus?"

"...The Fungus is a lot of things."

7:34 PM

Grobber plaintitively shakes his head. "I'm part of the Fungus. I'm associated with the Fungus."

7:35 PM

"...I've been given the capacity to enact miracles."

7:36 PM

"But The Fungus has been following me my entire life. It's the only explanation for what's happened to me all my life."

"Oh?"

"...The Fungus brings rot, destruction, and pain. It's been surrounding me with those things all my life. It's been swallowing me."

7:38 PM

"And now, it has chosen me."

7:39 PM

"As for what happened in Avengard..." He shrugs. "I can't speak for anybody but myself. And I've just been doing my own thing."

7:41 PM

"Why do you ask? If you have any questions, I could answer them for you."

"Oh, I indeed have many questions. Too many to quite easily lay out. But I’m content to leave you to whatever religion you desire."

Grobber gives a weary smile.

7:46 PM

"Change is good sometimes. And this... it was inevitable."

"I dare say I’ve yet to find a need for much of a change in my life."

Grobber shakes his head. "Well not everybody can be like you, Fritz!" He chuckles.

"I suppose not." He laughed lightly. "I can’t say I wish to have a world where all are like me, either.”

"I can honestly say the same." His weary smile gets a lot more weary. (edited)

"I suppose I shall depart then. Holding you up like this was never my intention."

Grobber gives Fritz a nod.

He headed off.

Grobber goes inside and watches Fritz through the blinds.

Fritz just returns home.

He watches the house for a bit, then goes back and smokes some more weed.

7:57 PM

He takes a small bit of psychedelics and reads the bible as he meditates.

Grobber's phone rings.

He answers it.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grace's voice spoke. "I know this is going to sound ridiculous but... I need your help."

"...What do you need help with?"

"I need you to break into the police station." ((Session end))

((Saturday))

"I need you to break into the police station."

"Huh? Like. Like a crime?"

"Uh. Yeah. Don't pretend you're above this."

"...I'm not like. Really a criminal, though. I. Do you just need to break a window or something?"

"I need a file. Like, for an investigation."

"Is it yours?"

"What? How would it be mine?"

"I just- the only time I feel like I would need someone to break into a police station is if they had something on me. What- what are you investigating?"

"I- I'll explain when I get to your house. The call was a bit of a dumb idea, I guess. Was just going to let you plan it all out first or something,"

"Oh-okay. Let's do it. H-hell yeah."

"Just give me a second." She hung up.

He takes another hit from his regular bong.

2:59 PM

Actually, several.

He sure is getting high. ((I'm not sure if this is a way to pass the time until she arrives or if you're doing some other absurdity))

If she doesnt get here in like. 10 minutes he would call her again.

She picks up. "Yeah?"

"When are you getting here?"

"I'm on my way. I was in Avengard."

"Okay. See you soon." He hangs up.

If The Fungus does nothing more she arrives in about half an hour.

He'll look around but not do anything interesting.

Knock, knock "It's me." Grace.

He opens it and checks to make sure nobody else is outside.

It's just her. "Let's get to work, right?"

He lets her in. "Yeah, yeah."

3:46 PM

"Is it a police station... in Shelk?"

"Maybe? I guess the incident took place here."

"...So you're looking for a specific file? An incident, or a person?"

"Incident. Do you remember... When I told you about Michelle?"

"Yeah. I remember." He gives her a more serious look.

"I think... I know who did it. And I'm sure they're responsible for a lot more."

"WHAT the FUCK!?" "I've been stewing here in my low-stakes Joker arc for like three days, and you've just had an ACTUAL MURDER on the backburner?"

"I was being unmotivated! This isn't the first time my life has been ruined for no discernible reason! I just... I gave up!"

"Okay, well. Let's do something! Anything! Nothing is the worst thing you can do! When you do nothing, you're unlikely to stop doing nothing for years!" (edited)

"Stop lecturing me! I just got out of a visit with that psycho. I don't need your narcissism here too."

Grobber sighs and shakes his head, leading Grace to his computer. He boots up his VPN to mask his signal and searches up "Shelk police station floor plans"

There is no police station inside Shelk.

4:30 PM

This is not a fact you knew before now.

He looks back to Grace. "Looks like we wont have to worry about not knowing it's the one." He looks for the nearest one on map applications.

There's a big one nearby in Avengard.

He nods to Grace. "That's our target." He looks for the floor plan and points at rooms that look like they have a bunch of stuff, and pulls up the police station on google streetview.

4:48 PM

"They probably have a case file room or at the very least a case filing system. We'll have to find it."

"Alright, good luck."

"Are you not coming?"

"...Would I be useful?"

"Why do you think I would be useful?"

"You turned invisible or something the other day, didn't you? Just like... Pull whatever that magic trick was. I don't... Really have any other friends." (edited)

"You? You setting me up? I'm gonna end up at the police station with a bunch of other suckers, and we're all gonna fall for some kinda- some kinda-" "..." "Fuck it, I'll go. Nothing could get much worse." He looks online at the police station schedule and checks when they close.

The police station does not ever close.

"...Shit." He ambles to the table and takes some psychedelics. He shakes his head up and down. "Y-YEAH!" He nods at Grace. "L-let's do it. I'm going. I'm going." He steps outside and pays for an uber to go to Avengard.

After a moment, the uber arrived.

He looks at the uber. Walks up and yells "ILL BE RIGHT BACK!" and goes and gets a knife and the costume he used for the video in a backpack, before jumping out and getting in the uber.

"..." The uber driver drove to Avengard. (edited)

He looks at the uber driver and nods. When they arrive, he nods and gets out onto the street.

It's a normal street.

He tries to find a store with a bathroom near the entrance, without a camera.

((Roll))

It takes hours to find one that matches these conditions.

This is AWESOME!!!

5:30 PM

On the way he'll buy some sunglasses and a face mask, and once he reaches the bathroom, he'll put them all on, and leave.

Grobber's card declines.

Ok, now this is epic.

5:32 PM

"Ugh... ugh. Hm." He'll put the stuff back on the table and he'll run out of the store.

5:34 PM

He does a tucker reaction.

5:34 PM

Okay he'll try and find a Subway.

Subways are easy to find, sure. There's a lot of those.

He'll look in the trash for a sandwich wrapper.

It's very filthy, but it is there.

The Fungus is on a mission. He'll fold it into a triangle and wear it around his face like a bandana.

5:40 PM

5:43 PM

Then he'll travel to the police station, intentionally going through poor streets to find homeless people.

What does he do when he meets them?

He'll go up to them and be ask "Have you heard of the Fungus?"

((Roll))

16 of them have heard of the fungus.

That is epic. He'll start Proselytizing. "The Fungus is alive, and he is spreading! He's come to liberate us! Liberate the weak, liberate the hurt! All we have to do is show our devotion! Let's all fuck with the police station!"

((Roll))

16 again

They cheer.

"WOOOO!!!! YEAH!!!!!" He leads them all to the police station, starting chants as they parade through homeless neighborhoods.

5:48 PM

"FUN-GUS! FUN-GUS! FUN-GUS!"

5:49 PM

(BCS All)

5:50 PM

https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/V9sVOIS5gfsrvyCA4xpsGUPaLcc3BZISgCcYbkips10/https/media.tenor.com/OGrkhEmuPXAAAAPo/better-call-saul-saul.mp4

He continues marching and chanting, attempting to rile people up, until he gets to the police station.

The fungus and his crowd of homeless people arrive at the police station.

For the rooms that he pointed to earlier, are there any that are accessible from the exterior, and are those windows unbarred?

((What rooms are those?))

large rooms that look like they could be used to store stuff

There’s only 1 large enough room that also has a window. Aside from the big room where all the desks are.

Awesome. He looks inside it. What's it used for?

It's the break room.

Shit. Well, time for plan B.

He bashes against the break room window. He yells "IF WE GET IN, THEY CAN'T STOP ALL OF US!"

((Roll))

The window doesn’t break.

He tries the butt of his knife, if that doesn't work, he'll go to a nearby trash can and try and find something rigid.

((Roll))

It breaks open. The homeless people storm in.

"FUN-GUS! FUN-GUS! FUN-GUS! FUN-GUS!" He quickly storms in with them, yelling. "RAID AND PILLAGE FOR ALL THEY'VE GOT! TAKE BACK WHAT THEY'VE STOLEN!"

6:53 PM

He walks around briskly, trying to find any sort of case filing room or anything like that.

((Roll))

After a lot of shoving around between homeless people and detectives, Grobber makes it to the filing room.

This is epic. He looks for files regarding any of the following terms: 'The Fungus' 'Belto Shelk' The Michelle person Grace knew 'Carolyn Blythe' 'Jeff Johnner' And the attacks on Subway. He also simply grabs around a dozen other random files to throw off the trail.

((Roll))

The file on Michelle has a section on Jeff Johnner.

7:07 PM

That’s the only one he finds.

Fine enough. He shoves as many as he can reasonably fit into his backpack including the entire block of cases around the Michelle one. He then leaves out the window, and runs as fast as he can out the window, and out the way he came, heading to the place where he changed.

The second he leaves the file room, a gunshot rings out. Everything seems to go silent and everyone in the building freezes. A woman finally breaks the silence. "All of you! Out! This is a place of law! A place of order! Do you pathetic petty criminals of the street truly have no better to do? What’s the matter with all of you!? Are you addicted to prison life? Because that’s where all of you are going if you don’t turn back and and cease defiling this place of healing! If I ever see any of your goddamn mugs again I will chart you a trip straight to the hole for the rest of your pathetic short rat-chewed lives! Is that understood!?" The woman stood up on her desk. Grobber can see that a heavily armed team is waiting just outside the busted window, but everyone else is looking elsewhere.

This has become awkward. Is there a bathroom nearby?

There is a bathroom.

Could he enter it without arousing too much suspicion?

No one is looking this way.

He darts into the bathroom, quietly moving the door to not produce too much noise.

((Roll))

7:23 PM

People notice the Fungus entering but they don’t really care.

LFG!!!!

7:26 PM

Okay

7:27 PM

When he enters the bathroom, is there a window out? Are there stalls? What's the deal?

There are stalls. No windows.

Ok. This is awkward. Are there ceiling tiles, vents, etc. around?

There are both of these things.

How big is the vent?

It's not the best squeeze, but Grobber can probably make it through.

Awesome. Excellent plan.

7:46 PM

He'll open up both the vent and a ceiling tile, then go to a nearby stall, where he'll completely undress, get back into his normal clothes, and put his costume back in the backpack, where he'll wait.

How long is he waiting?

He'll wait around 30 to 45 minutes before nervously leaving the room.

Things have mostly calmed down by now but they're still on alert. As soon as he exits the bathroom, he's stopped by the detective from earlier. "Who are you?"

"I-I'm Grobber Brentwood. I was here as a visitor- I-I... I was here to ask about my neighbor, something- I I was just getting annoyed... and-and then a bunch of hobos and crack whores started barging in. I panicked..." he looks around. "Are they all gone?"

"Yes. You said your name was Grobber Brentwood?" She took out a notepad and wrote it down, among a few other names. "Did you recognize any of them?"

"No- erm. I'm not from around here... I'm from Shelk. D-d-does this kind of thing happen often in Avengard?"

"Lately, yes. Some criminal's been riling up the homeless to riot. But don't worry, we'll find him. We always do. We're cops for a reason." She closed the notepad. "Have a good day Mr. Brentwood, we'll call you if we need you."

Grobber nods his head at the detective and scratches his head. "Okay, good luck." He leaves through the front entrance.

8:09 PM

He walks a few blocks away and calls an Uber back home.

The uber arrived to pick him up.

He gets in, a scowl across his face. "Too easy... too simple... it could've... it could've been different. Could've taken the harder way... the better way."

8:12 PM

"...Shelk, please." He gives a location near his place.

The uber drives there. "..."

He walks out and goes home. He opens the door. "Grace?"

She's still there. "That was... Fast."

"...Like I said. Nothing to do. You see what happened?"

"No?"

"Well, you can google it later. The police station, it had a... it... erm..."

8:26 PM

He goes into his backpack and retrieves the file on Michelle. He opens it up on the table and beckons Grace over to read it.

She came over, and began looking over it.

He reads it as well.

Michelle was killed by a shot to the head while she was laying unconscious in her room. Her house did not have a strong security system, so any culprit could have feasibly gotten in without too much trouble. A red car was spotted around the time of the murder but has not been identified. At almost the exact same time, her coworker Dana Craig was shot and grievously injured at her work place. The assailant was a big time mafia officer named Marco Gould, who proceeded to suspiciously commit suicide afterwards. As a result, the lead detective on this investigation, Howard Scott, has noted potential mafia connections connecting both incidents. Michelle also has a history of constantly getting accused of grand larceny, despite getting found not guilty every time.

8:44 PM

((End session))

((Saturday))

"What?" Grace.

He shakes his head. "You kn-know this Dana Craig person, right? You've mentioned her before to me..."

"Yeah, but… You don’t want to meet her."

Grobber cocks his head. "Then what next?" He continues looking through the file. Didn't it have a section on Jeff Johnner?

Jeff Johnner is a subsection under 'prime suspects'.

He nods to himself. (edited)

2:12 PM

"You said you wanted to, ehm... confirm your suspicions. Does all of this, like... does it make sense? Is it what you were looking for?"

"No, it’s… He’s not there. The police weren’t onto him."

He stands silently. "Well then, er.... is that... all?" (edited)

She sat back in her chair. "I… I dunno… I kind of expected there to be clear proof I could just… Shove in his stupid fucking face and be free."

"Y-yeah, well... erm-" He sits back. "...Why don't you just pretend there was proof anyway, if you're so sure?"

"What am I supposed to use, then? There’s not really anything in here."

"Couldn't you, just, like, doctor one up? We already have the original, we can edit it, then put the heat on this guy."

"I dunno, it’s… It’s not the same."

Grobber purses his lips.

2:37 PM

"Well, I'm sorry you, uh, didn't get what you wanted out of this heist."

2:37 PM

"I thought it was kinda fun, maybe? I- I don't know."

"Well, I'm glad you're happy." She groaned. "Well, maybe we could just... Maybe if we look at these suspects, there'll be some kind of connection to him. I mean they're accusing her of grand larceny, they can't be that smart."

Grobber smiles blankly as he looks at the suspect list. Who else is there besides Jeff Johnner?

The Old Man who drove Carolyn that one time is one here. His name has been removed from the file, but his picture is in it. He and Jeff are the only 2 suspects on file.

Grobber wordlessly shows Grace the picture of Kid Named Old Man. "I-I've met both of these guys. Jeff Johnner does some really nasty stuff... but that old man gave me a terrible feeling, too. I-I don't trust either of them."

"Uh... Hm." She crosses her arms, and thinks for a moment.

While she does that, Grobber gets in his bag. He separates the cases into two halves. He takes the half that doesn't have Michelle's case and begins to take pictures of all of them with his phone.

"What are you doing?"

He gives a sly grin back to Grace. "I took a bunch of other files from the police station, to throw them off. Would've been weird if just Michelle's went missing. I'm gonna publish half of what I took, to get one over on those fucking pig cops."

"Oh. That's smart."

He grins as he uploads the half to all the Fungus accounts. "The law enforcement of today's society is crippled, broken. They fail to do their jobs and serve only the elite at the top of the pecking order. Here are some of their scraps. Peer at them, see how they have failed."

3:51 PM

He'll also DM the uploads to local news accounts

((Post it on the twitter thread))

(Should I just say that a bunch of law enforcement case files are attached

4:06 PM

(When I post the tweet)

((Yeah))

Advehnt Guard

Online / twitter / FungalMessiah

The law enforcement of today's society is crippled, broken. They fail to do their jobs and serve only the elite at the top of the pecking order. Here are some of their scraps. Peer at them, see how they have failed.

4:19 PM

Attached to the last tweet are several law enforcement case files

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

He backs away from his terminal and glances at Grace. "You come up with anything?" (edited)

"...No. Just feels like a dead end."

He sighs. "God-dammit!"

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not magic!"

He looks to Grace. "It's fine, I'm just upset-" He sighs. "Why are you so sure you know who killed Michelle anyway? What makes them any more compelling a suspect then either of these two people?"

"Because she was kind! A pure, innocent soul. She was perfect! No one would ever have any reason to hurt her. He did it to hurt me. That's why it has to be him."

Grobber sighs. "Someone who would do that- well..." He shakes his head...

4:45 PM

"Well, maybe we just have to look into those suspects and him, and try and connect them to each other."

"...Yeah. Good luck."

"That guy that came here with Carolyn that time, er- do you , um... maybe know anything about him?"

"No. No idea."

"...Huh. Okay. Well. I guess, well... huh." He shrugs.

4:54 PM

He sighs and looks at Grace. "I'll. I'll look into it as much as I can. I don't have much else to do."

"Same here."

He nods. "I'll let you know if I get any leads. Also-" he looks back at Grace. "I, er- hope you already figured this, but please don't rat me out to the cops, Grace."

"I think that would screw me over more than it does you."

He nods. "Yeah. Okay bye." He leaves the house.

5:01 PM

As he walks out, he tries to google "Jeff Johnner contact information" on his phone to see if he can find any

No results.

"Well." He bites his lip and nervously looks around himself, before sighing.

5:04 PM

He googles "Carolyn Blythe therapist contact information."

This does come up.

He attempts to find a phone number and call it.

She picks up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-and-grobber

"Uhhh hey. hello?"

"Ah, hello there, it's good to hear from you... if a bit surprising. Have you been doing well since my visit? I hope you considered what we discussed."

"Yeah, um. Actually, heh, it's funny... There was something else I need to, eh... talk to you about."

"I'm always willing to hear out those in need. Although, I must ask, Grace doesn't know you're calling me, does she? She requested that I not contact anyone she knows."

"Yeah, uh. I don't know. I don't think she would be mad if she found out I called you. She kinda knows? I don't- eh."

5:36 PM

"I didn't tell her, if that's what you mean. So, like. If you don't want to start conflict about it, you could just, like. Not bring it up."

"That works fine for me. In that case, please carry on with what you needed from me. I'm not busy at the moment, so I'll try to help as much as I can."

"Okay, uh. Great. I really appreciate it."

5:38 PM

"Do you remember when you came to my house? Uh. There was an uh... old guy? With you?"

5:39 PM

"I need to talk to him."

"...I'm afraid that won't be possible. My friend that accompanied me, has... passed away recently. Terrible matter, but I hope this doesn't present too much of a problem for you."

"..." The line is silent for a couple moments.

5:40 PM

"Uhh... okay... that's. Um. okay."

5:40 PM

"Okay."

5:40 PM

"Could you answer a few questions about him?"

"Of course, what do you need to know?"

"Does he? Or anybody he associates with, drive a red car, maybe?"

"That's a curious question. You're not asking what color he drives in general, but rather you have a specific one already in mind. I assume that means you believe you've seen the car recently?"

"Uh. I don't. Listen, man. It's kind of just a simple question, uh..."

5:44 PM

"I don't understand what that question is trying to get at."

"Is it unreasonable to be curious what could lead to an inquiry about my... former associate? Regardless, yes, he does drive a red car. He was driving it the day I met him, in fact." (edited)

"...Oh. Jeez, wow. Okay."

5:47 PM

"How long... how long have the two of you known each other?"

"...Mr. Brentwood. Like I said, I'm more than willing to answer your questions. But if you're curious about my life, as well as his, then I have to say I'm a bit curious about yours at the moment. I've told you that the man you're asking about is dead, and yet you still want information on him. There's nothing he could provide you in that state, so what is your goal?"

"Uh... I'm gonna level with you. I think that friend of yours is- or, uh. Was, I guess... involved in some. Uh. Shady shit? I guess that, like-"

5:52 PM

"I don't know. Something is going wrong, it feels like."

5:52 PM

"If something went wrong with the way your friend died, there might be some way to... get something out of it? Find some... nugget of good within all the awfulness." He sighs.

5:53 PM

"...I'm trying to piece stuff together. I- I-"

5:53 PM

"I don't really have much else to do, if I'm being honest."

"I see. It's good to occupy your time, but if you think he was involved in some manner of illicit activity, then wouldn't it be smarter to stay ignorant? You said you want to get something good out of his death, but that just isn't possible. I've moved on, and I recommend you do the same. Find something more fulfilling to spend your time on."

He sighs. "I- er." "If you've moved beyond it, then that's fine, but you don't get to dictate what I, er- I find fulfilling, you know? I. Li-listen. I don't know exactly what this guy is involved with, but. Well, if he was, then he- he entered my home and tooled around in there, man. Because you decided I needed a visit. That's. That's on you. You don't get to recommend what- what I do in response to that, man. I get to choose." (edited)

"So that's how it is..." Carolyn pauses for a few moments, before chiming back in with a notably more cheerful voice "Congratulations, Mr. Brentwood. You seemed so lost when we last spoke, but you've truly found something you want to accomplish. Getting in your way would be the last thing I want to do. I assumed this pursuit would be unhealthy, but if it's what you've set your mind on, then I'll stop pushing back. I've known that man for four days, I first spoke with him the day before our visit to your house."

"..."

6:05 PM

"Okay, uh. I feel like you're kind of reading me as some kind of- like."

6:05 PM

"Okay. Just so you know, this has nothing to do with the fact that."

6:06 PM

"Okay, man. Like."

6:06 PM

He struggles to get words out.

6:06 PM

"Nevermind."

6:06 PM

"..."

6:07 PM

"Did he die mysteriously?"

"If you think I'm making a mistake in my treatment of you, feel free to speak your mind. But to answer your question, no, he killed himself in front of me. I've already reported it to the police, so don't worry about that."

"Uh, well. First of all, you're not like. Treating me. We're just like. People, I guess."

6:09 PM

"..."

6:10 PM

"Oh yeah. Uh. Second. I'm sorry about that one."

6:10 PM

"Man."

6:10 PM

"Did he like. Feel as if he was the type of guy to do crimes?"

6:10 PM

"You know brain stuff and you guys were hanging around."

"Certainly. Your assessment of him was entirely correct, he was quite the shady character. It was my hope to reform him to a person capable of being fulfilled rather than one who harms others through such underhanded means."

"Damn. Uh. Cool, then. Cool."

6:14 PM

"...Cool."

6:14 PM

"Well, I guess. Uh. That's a wrap on that one. It's all. Tied up, I guess."

6:14 PM

He sighs

6:15 PM

"...Damn."

"Are you not satisfied with this result? Your suspicion was confirmed correct, that's something to celebrate Mr. Brentwood. Unless there's more left for you to find out before you can be fulfilled?"

"Umm... I guess it's kind of like. The Wily Coyote thing, after he catches the roadrunner."

6:17 PM

"Except it was just like. An incredibly simple mystery. I guess real life crimes are kinda like that."

6:18 PM

"...My life has been pretty boring lately."

6:18 PM

"Mostly."

"A boring life has its benefits. Too much going on creates quite the stressful environment to work in. But I understand your complaint. Have you considered picking up some more hobbies? Learning an instrument, knitting, anything with a consistent feeling of progress. Or perhaps you could do volunteer work, if you'd rather make a difference."

"Yeah, that's the thing, right?"

6:22 PM

"I've been trying to do more stuff recently.

6:22 PM

To like, build something."

6:22 PM

"And it's nice, and I guess. I don't know. I'm not trying to claw my eyes out when I'm doing it."

6:22 PM

"But when I'm doing literally anything else it's back to awful. (edited)

6:23 PM

And, like. As much as I would love to be on my grind my entire life, that kind of, er. Defeats the purpose? I guess?"

6:23 PM

"I don't know. I'm satisfied with it. I think part of it all was just like."

6:24 PM

"I guess I found some meaning in it, and that makes that fact that I don't feel good okay."

6:24 PM

"Even, preferred. I would say."

"That sounds like quite an unhealthy rationalization, Mr. Brentwood. Finding meaning is important, it's what we live our lives for, but if that meaning doesn't bring you happiness... Then I'm afraid it sounds like you've made the wrong choice. From the sounds of it, it's better than doing nothing at all, but you shouldn't be satisfied with just not having negative effects on you. It's a step in the right direction, but you can't move the goalpost so close."

"...You kind of operate off of this assumption that like. Happiness is ontologically good, right?"

6:28 PM

"...What if that's not true?"

"Trust me, Mr. Brentwood, I know what I'm talking about. There's nothing more important than feeling happiness. Those who believe otherwise are just rationalizing their own unhappiness as a lack of a problem. It's behavior I cannot condone."

"Great, so I just have to, what, then. Like. Unrationalize myself? I have to get less rational?"

"It means you have to face the truth. It's hard, I know. But I'm here for you, as I'm sure Grace is as well. You need to find something that makes you happy, that's what your goal should be. It doesn't have to be your primary goal, happiness can result from many things, but if something isn't making you happy, you shouldn't focus on it."

"..."

6:35 PM

He sighs.

6:36 PM

"It is convenient that your outlook on this specific matter of my current health is exactly the same as the ideology of someone with a direct profit incentive to attract a client base for a mental health practice. Always broken. Never fixed enough."

"...You think this is about money? I suppose that's understandable. There's no point denying it, if you've made up your mind to not listen to me because of my profession, then any argument from me would just sound desperate. But I will say you're wrong about one thing. You can be fixed. There will be a point where you can stop. That's where I'm trying to get you to."

"I haven't like- I haven't"

6:41 PM

He sighs again.

6:43 PM

"You say that you care but you make trades of talking to me with stuff from Grace like talking to me, which is apparently how I'm going to get sooo much better, is some sort of trading chip. You bring around this- this criminal nutjob to my house because you wanted to talk to me about Grace, but then-"

6:43 PM

He stops.

6:43 PM

"I just don't get it."

"You certainly have every reason to doubt my intentions. My life has been nothing if not complex over the past few days, and I will admit, I have not always done what would be best for your mental health. But you're not the only person I'm worried about, after all. Grace, the man I was with, they're both people too. I must do my utmost to help whoever I can, and for Grace, that meant delaying my treatment of you. I'm sorry, but it's just pragmatic. Helping you first would mean Grace refusing my help. Life is full of complex choices, but I have no regrets about the ones I've made." (edited)

"Yeah, I get it. Like I completely understand why Grace and you did it, but you get that it's like, really callous, right?"

6:50 PM

"Even in this conversation, man."

6:50 PM

"You're weird... and strange."

6:50 PM

"I'm not. Like, the social expert, here, but like. Come on, you're so clinical, and..." (edited)

6:52 PM

"It feels like. Too good, right? Like you're trying to sell me something. It's like when some guy on the street says that you look handsome... right before he tries to sell you something."

6:53 PM

"I don't really think it's that like. Hard to get me to be happier, right?"

6:54 PM

"Like. I guess therapists are some kinda, like, happiness salespeople? I already do business with a bunch of drug dealers that way more directly sell themselves as that."

6:54 PM

"But the reason why I'm not exactly keen, is like, how Grace hates you?"

6:55 PM

"Like whatever you've done with Grace, she obviously isn't thankful for it. And, uh. I honestly, like don't blame her?"

6:55 PM

"The way that you interact with people is kind of like. Exactly what I imagined when Grace described a crazy therapist who she hated."

"Grace is a work in progress, I'm making strides with her treatment every day. I have nothing to say about your accusations, Mr. Brentwood. I'm not your therapist, but if I was, I'd make the same recommendation as I am right now when I say that seeing someone else would be in your best interest. Thinking of us as happiness salesmen is incorrect, you're the one who has to find happiness, we're just a helping hand. And that includes the decision to start. I have no problem with you criticizing me, sometimes people are just incompatible. But I do hope you don't get turned off from the idea of therapy as a whole."

"I would like. Literally rather end my own life then have to meet a second therapist right now."

7:02 PM

"Meeting people is usually the worst part of people for me. Which is why I do it, like, basically never."

7:02 PM

"And therapists are triple jeopardy or something."

"Well, you have your entire life ahead of you to prepare for the meeting. I understand if these past few days have been too tiring to try immediately, and I certainly wouldn't want another depressive suicide on my hands. I'll be rooting for you to work up the courage."

"Well uh it sounds like. You are trying to get the phone call to end so I get it."

7:05 PM

"I was just like. Joking I would probably not rather kill myself I would probably just, like, pay a bunch of money or something, I don't know."

7:05 PM

"I'm less of the fast, exciting kind of mentally ill and much more of like, the slow burn variety."

7:05 PM

"But I think we are just going to disagree on this sorry."

7:06 PM

"I kind of think that, like. Suffering is just, like, it goes hard."

7:06 PM

"It's what I'm really good at, and the more I lean into it, the better it gets."

"That is... truly unfortunate. If that's what you've set your mind to... perhaps you're just another soul I'm unable to save. I'm sorry I couldn't convince you otherwise, but I'm glad you won't be doing anything rash that you can't take back. If you ever change your mind, my office is always open for new patients."

"Okay. Uh. Well, I'm sorry I can't like. Be an asset for you to boost your happiness high score or whatever. Listen, uh. I'm sorry I freaked out the other day. This may be weird, but I appreciate the fact that you picked up the phone, I uh. I usually only get one meeting with people, and talking with you a second time was refreshing, even if you're a weirdo. There's not a lot of people in my life that. I talk to more than once. Whatever. If I ever do decide to try and, uh... talk with a therapist or something. It will probably be you. Sometimes I change my mind about stuff. I'm a- uh. quirky guy like that, or something. Yeah." "Please don't send Grace away so upset anymore. Seeya." He hangs up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber will walk back inside to find Grace

It's getting late.

7:18 PM

Grace is still inside.

"Hey, uh..."

7:19 PM

"Apparently, that old guy with Carolyn... he was some sort of criminal. Long list of crimes. And he drove a red car, too."

7:19 PM

"It lines up with a bunch of stuff in the report."

"Huh, really? Did you catch a name?"

"...Shit, no."

7:23 PM

He gets on his phone and texts Carolyn: "Hey, what was the guy's name again? I don't think I asked."

Carolyn responds: "He was called Gus Amon. My apologies, I should have assumed that would be important to inform you of."

"Yeah no problem I should've asked."

7:29 PM

"His name was Gus Amon. He, eh- apparently Carolyn had only known him for four days."

"She knew him...?" She bit her lip.

"...Do you not recognize him? He was the old man with Carolyn when she came to this house."

"No, I did it's just... A weird coincidence."

He raises an eyebrow. "Did you ever see that guy when meeting Carolyn?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Weird. She said he was a friend, but I'm still weirded out. Why did she bring him to my house?"

She thinks about it for a moment. "...I don't think it's him. It's probably a red herring."

He sighs and his brow furrows. "...Then who else? I've seen the car Jeff Johnner drives. It's not even remotely close to the description of the mysterious car found outside Michelle's."

She groaned, laying back. "...I don't know."

Grobber rubs his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Well, at least I got to stick one to the police."

"..."

He looks over at Grace. "Something up?"

"Hey, Grobber... You'll... never leave me, right?"

"Grace, I-"

7:40 PM

"...Without you, I have actually nothing."

7:41 PM

"The two of us are brought together by a lot of things, right?"

7:42 PM

"I don't want you to think that the two of us just are two victims stranded by society, so we're forced to get along."

7:42 PM

"There's a reason you've stayed... even when everybody else hasn't."

7:42 PM

"You're the only one. If you were to be gone... that would just mean I'm impossible. Or not worth it. Or something even worse."

7:45 PM

"I can't leave. I'm right here. I can only stay."

"...Thanks."

He sighs. "Though I'm surprised you asked that question after and not before you asked me to steal classified information from a law enforcement barracks."

"I'm not exactly a genius, I guess."

"You're too smart to be one, with how things are right now."

7:49 PM

He smiles and reaches an arm around her.

She started crying.

"Shhh... shhhh... it's okay... I'm here for you... You're safe here..." He continues holding her.

7:55 PM

"Stop worrying... stop worrying... I'm here for you."

She hugged him. "We're breaking into police stations, investigating a murder, and... And for some reason, the saddest part... Is that I feel happy."

He smiles and holds her by her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "That's because we're taking back what's ours. Our own way. They've tried to make us play the game by their rules for too long. Now, we do it our way."

"...Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense."

8:06 PM

"We'll show them."

8:06 PM

((End session))

Yeah I was trying to come up with something like that but That Works™️

8:07 PM

Wholesome

((No session this week))

((Saturday))

"We'll show them."

"...Yeah."

3:03 PM

"Yeah!"

3:03 PM

Grobber scrambles around on the floor a bit before going to his room. "Can you, uh, help me with something?"

"Sure... What's up?" She wiped the tears from her eyes.

He shambles to a closet. He almost never opens it, but he's trying to find a way to pry it open with all the stuff laying around on the room. He gets it open, and the technology and clothes on the floor want to go down, and it takes a bit of force to keep the door open. "I want to get something in here. Can you hold this for me for a second?"

"Yeah, sure." She holds the door as requested.

He begins to dig in his closet. Stained clothes, weird, half-finished computer projects, and old video games join the other refuse on the floor as he digs through the rubble-looking pile in the closet, looking for something. "I haven't told you about the Rat house- right after I dropped out of college, have I?"

"Rat house?"

"Yeah... after I dropped out, I didn't want to come back here." He takes a breath to look around. He continues to pile things out. "I had a guy I knew online who lived around here. He had an apartment with 8 people that were staying there." "It was the best time of my entire life. There were eight people there who lived there, all we did was play video games, watch movies, do drugs, and fuck each other. We all woke up at 2 pm every day and people were asleep on beds near my monitor setup. We had blackout curtains over all the windows, and the lights had gone out months before I had got there, and nobody had bothered to fix them. We all just wore the same pajamas or underwear, old hoodies from school teams that didn't exist anymore." He continues to move stuff around in the closet. He sits down to dig away at it. "They have this system where they sell excess computing power to corporations, but the real money we made was by hosting a bunch of pirated software. We did it all on the internet from the business next door. With welfare on top of that, we were able to make rent, and pay for fast food delivery." "..." "I didn't want to dig in to what my parents had left yet." "..." "There was one day that we tried to wake one of the girls who had lived there up, because we needed a healer for a raid, but. She was dead. None of us knew why, but none of us were surprised either. The problem is that criminals have no recourse, you know? If we told the cops, we'd have to, you know, explain everything we were doing. As far as we know, she didn't have parents either. Or, at least real parents, I mean..." He loses himself in the story for a moment, leaning back. "So, you know, it was a pain. The seven of us, we took a trip into the forest near here and sweating in the cold air. We dug a big hole with shovels that still had their tags on them and left her alone." "..." "...It's funny, but all I remember of that night is thinking about how far away the stars were." "After that, because I was the new guy, they made me get on her PC to keep her identity... and her subscription services... persisting. As far as all her friends know, she's still on vacation. But then, eventually, things went back to normal, and we got a new healer. It was the same as it was before, except there was a room that nobody ever went in." He goes back into digging, finding a larger desktop unit before dragging it out, placing it on the floor. "A few months after that, I yelled a bunch of shit at the others after an argument relating to Genshin GBJ. They kicked me out. In the night, I took Ophelia's- the girl who died- PC too. She had a good unit, and, like, what were they gonna do, call a cop?" (edited)

3:41 PM

"...You can stop holding the door now. I just wanted to get at this." He points at the PC. (edited)

"That's... Wow." She bit her lip. "I mean... I guess... To some people, they got to live thinking she was alive for a little longer."

"Her friends... I never stopped responding to them, they just stopped asking. I don't know if it was just the people she associated with, but it's easy to make a person disappear, if they just exist... like we did."

3:48 PM

He finds a spot near his desk to plug the computer in, and plugs it into one of his monitors. He begins to update it, cycling it, getting it ready to be operable.

While it's cycling updates/power/etc. he moves back to the half of the case files that he left unpublished. He'll go through them, writing on a notepad people that the case files implicate for doing bad things. Suspects that likely committed crimes, people that the police have on record doing immoral things, etc. Out of the case files he took. He'll keep a log of their names.

There’s a fair amount of cold cases in here where suspects were cleared by an attorney named Naomi Kidink. No other names are particularly interesting here.

That's fine. He's not looking for anything particularly interesting. Just people with something to hide.

4:14 PM

He'll go over to his main desktop with all the Fungus accounts and, for each name, will attempt to find their associated social media accounts. He'll add their accounts next to their names where he's noted them down.

A few of them have social media accounts under their names.

He'll contact every one of them he can find, using the same message. "Hello. I bring good tidings. I represent the Fungus. Today, a legion of the Fungus' followers attacked the police station and pillaged it of its insides. The reason they did so was to find and contact the disenfranchised, the people who had been unjustly hurt by society." "You are one of these people, and you have been selected to take part in our bounty. The Fungus needs operatives, priests, that can extend their will to the physical plane. By doing a few favors for them, they will grant you power beyond your imaginations. You will see firsthand what compelled a legion of the hurt to siege a police station, and you will see firsthand how they won." "The Fungus does not take kindly to being spurned. Should you refuse, evidence of your misdeeds will be spread to your workplace, loved ones, and others around you." He'll attach the respective police file to each message. (edited)

((Roll))

Only a few agree. The rest don’t respond.

He messages the few of them: "Go around town and and spread my message. Write four short messages about The Fungus' impending return, and draw two symbols of fungi in public places such as street signs, walls, etc. Send pictures of these to this account. Please do this in the next twenty four hours."

One replies 'but vandalism is also a crime'.

"Rot always grows away from the sun. If you cannot run, walk. It is permissible if you would only go in public and speak about how the Fungus is coming soon, carrying a sign, even. He understands your apprehension, and is willing to accommodate for his disciples."

"What are you doing?" Grace.

He turns around. "The power to turn invisible and stuff... a few people have caught on to it, and are inspired. I was able to get a bunch of homeless people to help me get into the police station like that. Right now, I'm contacting some others to help me... in case we need anything else done. For your friend."

"Inspired, huh? What’s so inspiring about it?"

He shrugs. "I don't know man, eh- a lot of people spend all day hating the bullshit of the world, so it's easy to root for the person that wants to burn it all down." He sighs. "Of course, a lot of the time it can take some extra convincing, but who cares. Not like anybody holding up 'the good old-fashioned American way' knows what's good for them."

"I guess that’s true." Grace.

5:39 PM

"It just feels weird to drag people into it, I guess."

He shrugs. "Its not like I'm making anybody do anything awful. The people that raided the police station with me were marching and cheering."

5:42 PM

"People have manipulated me and made me do things I dont want to do for bullshit that doesnt matter my entire life. I dont feel bad getting people to help me tear it all down... if they want to protect it, they can get fucked anyway."

"When you finish tearing it down, what’s left?"

"I'm not going to finish tearing it down. It's bigger, smarter, and stronger than I am. It is going to stop me, easily, and I will either be either killed, or, even worse, left alive, but without an outlet for my misery. But it's worth it."

"How is that worth it?"

He shrugs. "It's fun. For now, I guess." He swallows. "It makes getting out of bed easier... and it's nice to be able to get people to break into a police station... in case I ever need it."

"But what about when they catch you!?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing anybody can do to me will make it worse than what my life is. It's like getting banned from League of Legends, like- there's nothing to lose." (edited)

"It’s… I mean… Still. Every time you think your life is at its worst, something worse can always happen. Always."

"I get it, like- I could get put in jail. They could take away the little I do have. But, it's-" "Maybe this is all a mistake. But I need to stop living the same day. Even if it ruins me."

"You don't need to do anything! Did- You talked to that psycho earlier, didn't you!? Did she get into your head? Is she making you do this?"

"Carolyn told me that I was a lost cause and then tried to hang up on me as soon as possible. I, er- I don't think she wants the smoke, man." He sighs. "Grace, I don't know what to tell you. Sticking one to the assholes out there, it's what I want to do. And I thought you wanted that too." (edited)

"I do, I do, it's just... I hate to lose."

He shrugs. "I hate losing... but I was sitting out in the woods recently when I realized that for everybody else, me sitting here, in my room, playing video games, eating whatever I want, without a care in the world... it's winning, and I think I hate winning too. I'm done losing and I'm done winning. I think the only thing that's left is to start trolling."

6:38 PM

(Absolutely disgusting line)

"I can't... I can't do the same. I wish I could throw away my life casually for a bit of fun, but I can't. I just can't. I'm sorry."

He nods. "Let me be clear, I, er, don't intend to be caught soon. I've disguised myself, hidden my identity, and, well, even having other people in on it is just like a- it just largely just serves to distribute this from, like, a person inciting a mob to a self-sustaining movement. I'm gonna be honest, I, er, I don't think anybody is going to catch me soon, and, well, I imagine when they do, it will be incredibly difficult to put me away for a long time. The only thing they could probably do is stop me from doing it anymore." "But maybe they'll put me away forever. Or maybe they'll kill me. Who knows." He shakes his head. "But that's just me... I, er... you can... you don't need to be there."

She sighed. "Without you, I... I don't have anyone."

"Then I won't get caught. Not soon, at least. I am being safe. They have nothing on me. Going into the police station... was more extreme than I expected. Ever. And if I can do that, I can, well... I can do a lot."

"Yeah. I guess that's true." She headed to the door. "It's getting late. I think I'm just gonna... Sleep."

He nods to her. "Thanks Grace, I, er-... Yeah. I appreciate it. I really er, appreciate you, Grace. You're valuable to me."

"Thanks." She left.

He nods.

7:00 PM

"Yeah."

7:01 PM

He walks to the second computer and starts downloading a bunch of AI programs, stuff that can generate text and images from other images/text.

This happens.

Cool. He'll do that for a while before moving to his bedroom. He will get really high on pot.

Grobber is really high now. ((Sorry for the insightful commentary I just have nothing to react with))

fuck, continuity error, he was already in his bedroom. ghrk!

7:15 PM

no problem

7:16 PM

TBH sometimes I'll intentionally take a time consuming action to see if anybody is planned to come to the door at around this time of the session

((SADLY you are in the section of my notes that just reads 'end the chapter'. The funny interactions will have to wait))

(time to go on a completely new adventure that takes 6 hours trollface

7:18 PM

(whatever let me get one last action in.

The Fungus

(time to go on a completely new adventure that takes 6 hours trollface

((For note I would not stop anyone from doing this. You could even describe my reaction as positive))

(Yeah I figure but in character I have no reason to do this right now. My guy has done a lot)

7:22 PM

Thoroughly doorframed, he'll clamber over to his computer and search for several minutes looking for anything related to 'Gus Amon Avengard'

Gus Amon is an ex-police detective, now butler working for Shuichi Maoziwam.

Huh. Grobber will check Shuichi Maoziam's social media pages, looking to see any recent posts/any posts about The Fungus.

Shuichi Maoziwam has not commented on The Fungus.

Yeah, but has he posted anything recently?

https://discord.com/channels/959192904184778753/992859913074253974/1020348913233952800 this is his most recent tweet, from last night.

Grobber will look to see if he has any public contact information.

There's a business email.

Hm. He has a daughter, right? Does she have any public contact information?

((Roll))

She does not.

Hm. He sends an email to Shuichi Maoziwam from his regular address. "Dear Shuichi Maoziwam, Hello. I am Grobber Brentwood, and I'm looking into the recent death of Gus Amon, an employee of yours, and its possible ties to some criminal activities. Would you be willing to describe to me if Gus Amon was behaving strangely or was associated with any unsavory characters over the last year or so?"

7:38 PM

After this, he'll go to bed.

The chapter ends.

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

6: Altered Grounds

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber woke up in his bed the next day.

He shambles to his computer and checks his email.

Nothing new.

He bangs on the desk. "D-dammit!"

2:22 PM

He sighs and looks over at Genshin GBJ, but sighs.

2:22 PM

He stands up and prepares to go to the store.

There's a knock at the door.

He goes to the door and looks to see who it is.

2:24 PM

Plzbefritzplzbefritzplzbefritz

It's Fritz. "Good morning, Grobber."

"Fritz!" His eyes shoot up a little in surprise. "Hey, haha... how are you?"

"I'm quite good, thank you. And you?"

"I'm, eh- well, I could be worse."

2:31 PM

He gives a weary smile.

"Good. Optimism." He smiles as usual. "I was hoping you could come with me this morning."

Grobber laughs. "Well, there are some things I wanted to do today... but, well, I suppose I can make time for it." His smile grows a bit warmer.

"Thank you." Fritz started walking down the street.

Grobber speets up a bit to follow him. "Heheh... nice... where are we going?"

"It's not far."

"Oh. Ehm, good, haha... yeah. Good. Say, Fritz... you ever heard of a Gus Amon? I'm looking for anything about the guy."

He stops for a moment, but keeps walking shortly after. "I have. What about him?"

"Well... Grace had a pretty personal friend that was killed... and it looks like he might've been involved. I'm trying to figure out anything I can about him... I guess it's weird, but looking into it is kinda putting me into a good mood."

"Hm. I see. He's a policeman, if I recall correctly."

"Huh, interesting. How.... how do you know the guy, hehehh... "

"A story for another time. We're here." He stopped in front of a cemetery. "I wanted to visit your parents with you."

Grobber recoils a bit from the cemetery. "Why... why? Did you even know them that well?"

"Does it matter?"

He looks at Fritz. "Yeah- I- Why else would we come here if you didn't want to see them?"

"For you, of course."

Grobber looks away and changes the topic of the conversation. "I... I've never been here. I don't even know what it looks like."

"Well, let's find out, shall we."

He balls up his fists and breathes in and out. "I... I don't know." He turns to Fritz. "I- I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"I don't know, I just... I haven't done this until now. It has to have been for something, right? If I go now... what does it mean about how long I waited?"

"What it's been for is this moment. Moments are never more important than others."

Grobber sighs. "Okay." He lifts his head up and starts walking forward.

Fritz entered the graveyard, and walked towards a grave. He lifted his hands up in some kind of strange prayer.

Grobber walks up to Fritz, intentionally avoiding looking at the grave. "What are you doing?"

"It's a prayer. When you do it, your parents can hear your messages. In theory. Simply think to yourself what you want to tell them."

He looks at the gravestone.

'Here Lies (Your Mother's Name) and (Your Father's Name) Brentwood. Together in life and death.'

"If they could hear me... if they could see me..."

5:38 PM

"Oh my god." He begins to wheeze, and he lowers to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Fritz.

He stifles a few heavy breathes, and then starts crying.

5:39 PM

His crying isn't the graceful kind, instead the ugly stuff. Mucus leaks out his nose.

5:40 PM

He sobs like a child, and as he rubs his face to get tears off, it only becomes more filthy.

Fritz is absolutely stunned for a moment.

"Please... please... i'm so sorry... i'm so sorry... i can't."

"...My apologies. I had not... Anticipated this."

"You idiot! Do you! Do you know what my life has become since this happened!? I'm nothing! I'm pathetic. I used to be normal... I used to be okay... " he says through tears.

5:44 PM

"If they could see me as I am now, they would've wanted me to die with them."

"I told you, Grobber. You may decide what they feel about your current state. Would they be proud? Would they despise it? That is your choice."

"..." He takes half a minute to wipe himself off with his sleeve, leaving his clothes gross but his face mostly okay. He stands up. "They don't feel anything about anything. They're dead. They don't exist anymore. They will never have to see me."

"And yet you seem quite troubled at their opinion nonetheless."

He turns around. "I.... No. I was being stupid. They don't matter anymore."

"Do you truly not care, or do you simply claim not to care because it would be easier this way?"

"Are you implying that anything like how I am is easy? Do you think I want to be doing this?"

"If you don't want to be doing it, why are you doing it?"

"Because you fucking tricked me! You told me to follow you and you led me here, and... and..." There isn't anything that comes after.

"I'm not referring to this. I'm talking about the fungus."

"...Everything that I've done in my whole life since my parents died has been a waste. I need to do something... it needs to be worth something!"

"All life is worth what you make of it. Your life has been a waste simply because you believe it to be. How does the Fungus fix this? You've allowed the mindless masses to know how sad you feel. Is this an improvement in your eyes? All that matters is within your self. Your own mind."

"I'm special... I've been chosen. It's bigger than me... you don't understand! It doesn't matter what happens to me... this is all bigger than you can see right now!"

"Grobber, please understand what I mean to tell you. You were chosen by no one but yourself. These elaborate games serve no purpose your own mind cannot achieve."

"I actually have the ability to do things! I have powers! Over others, but also over the world! I can perform miracles! Do you take this to be an accident? You don't know... you are uninformed..."

"But what do these miracles do for you? What value does the fungus bring you? Chosen, special, it means nothing. All humans are equal. No matter what we believe, there is nothing we can accomplish. All that matters is how we feel. What we believe. You can live in eternal happiness, consequence free in your home, if you simply choose to be happy. Choose to believe you are happy. The mind is all-powerful."

"Fine! I'm happy now! Congratulations! You're free! You've done your job! You're a good samaritan. You can move on to the next burnout loser now."

6:26 PM

"Is that what you want? Is that what you like to hear?"

"Theoretically, but I would rather it have meaning. Truthful meaning. I understand this may come as a surprise to you, but I care about you Grobber. I... Don't have any other friends. Or family, for that manner. You need not pity me for this, I'm simply stating that I have nothing to do but to help you."

"Why do you care about me? Why have you made it my responsibility to keep myself happy to appease you?"

"Appease me?"

"So what- you turn my whole life into your project now? So when I fuck myself up, I'm just disappointing someone else."

6:37 PM

"You're making it my responsibility to... to do what! To be happy? I've tried to do that every day! It's the one thing I can't do! You think it's easy enough to just will it into existence! Well I can't!"

6:38 PM

"So I guess I'm just going to have to disappoint you. I'm sorry Fritz! I'm a fucking loser! There's something wrong in my brain! I'm a broken toy!"

6:39 PM

"Even the Virgin Mary herself reincarnated as a robot therapist can't fix me! I'm the real deal."

6:44 PM

"The best thing you could do for me is stop caring, so I can do my thing without hurting anyone else."

"Is that truly what you want? Above all else?"

"..."

6:48 PM

Grobber starts crying again.

6:48 PM

He starts to back away, preparing to back into a run.

Fritz sighed, and let him go.

He runs back to his house and opens the door. He'll walk in and slam it behind him, sinking to the floor, sitting with his back against the door.

Dana Craig and Ariel May are currently on his front porch.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / dana-and-grobber

uwu

6:57 PM

HOLY SHIT HI EVERYONE

((I’m going to be completely clear and say there’s a lot of ambiguity in saying that The Fungus runs towards me is this a fucking person right))

okay i'll start

6:59 PM

A man in black sweatpants and a white t-shirt sprints towards the house. His clothes are covered in stains and his face is filthy. He's been crying recently, a lot.

6:59 PM

"W-who are you all?"

“I’m Ariel." She waves.

"T-this is my house, er... hm. I-" He looks behind him, as if checking to make sure nobody is following him. "I think you all are in the wrong place."

“…Private investigator. Call me Seeker. Grobber, correct? I assume this is a bad time?”

He immediately becomes defensive. "I haven't done anything- I- I- I- who sent you!?"

7:05 PM

"Was it Fritz, huh!? Was it that therapist piece of shit, trying to get dirt on me?"

“Yes, let’s list all the names and occupations of everyone we know. A great start. I know of a man named Shuichi Maoziwam. Do you?”

"W-wait. You all aren't with the cops, right?"

"I know someone named Jeremy Baxter." Ariel adds this important fact.

“My sole interest is uncovering the truth.”

7:08 PM

I take a deep breath. “Thanks, Ariel.”

7:14 PM

“I have no interest in targeting you. You may well be a victim. But I need to know of who.” Whom? Whatever. Either way’s probably fine. I force a Cool Disinterested look, hands in my pockets. “A lesser man than me might take your frenzied reaction as confirmation of something, and pursue you rapidly and without mercy. But I’m not interested in the parlor tricks of a pig after a forced confession. I won’t leave your premises, but you may take a moment to better prepare yourself for a conversation if you’d prefer.” I hold back from specifically saying he should take a shower. (edited)

"Well then maybe, I, er...." He looks behind himself. "You know not everyone, like, fucking wants to be investigated, right? I haven't killed anyone, and, like-" He looks around. "...If you want to keep talking... we should... we should probably go inside."

“I am aware. I’m not accusing you of killing anyone.” I enter the house of The Fungus from Advehnt Guard.

Grobber goes in and waits for Ariel to close it. After he's in by himself, he goes into his room, and emerges with a bong. He'll make sure to close the door behind him. He'll light it and take a few hits. "...Oh my god." He'll cough a few times, then take another couple hits. "Okay.... yeah. Yeah. Sorry, I had a... rough morning. Either of you smoke?"

Ariel goes in and closes the door yup.

Shit. I mean, yes, obviously. I think I have my vape with me right now. But what exactly is up with this? First of all, this doesn’t fit with the image of a judicious detective at all. So it’s weird for him to even ask. Is he making conversation with a rhetorical question, or… Well, I mean, shit, private investigators are people too. I’m sure some of them d—but wait, they wouldn’t admit it on the job, would they? I don’t fucking know. And then there’s the matter of what Ariel will say if she says anything. Does this even matter? It has to, right? This is such an obviously unnatural reaction to someone implying you’re connected to a crime. He’s trying to pull something off… but what? I can’t let him mess with me. “On occasion.” I say this after staring at the bong for several seconds.

He'll wordlessly offer the bong to Dana.

Oh, fuck. Jesus. That’s a direct prompt. I can’t halfass responding to this. Would this be something considered unsanitary? I feel like if a detective was offered, like, a drink by someone they were investigating, they’d decline. You can’t poison a fucking BONG, can you? I mean, obviously it isn’t, he just— I, Dana Craig, accept the bong, which I, scipe, know very little about, and I (dana) interface with it as generically as possible without description to avoid embarrassing me (scipe).

"Oh, shit!" He chuckles to himself. "So you really aren't a cop. Damn, haha..." After Dana hits it, Grobber will take it back and hit it once himself.

7:29 PM

"...Oh, shit..."

7:30 PM

"So, uh... what are you doing here again?" (edited)

Ariel is not saying anything but her expression betrays a deep confusion.

She wouldn’t get it.

7:35 PM

“I’m here…” I think it over. I don’t think I’m being particularly affected by any funny herb right now, it’s just hard to fully recall what the fuck led to this. “to clarify a few things up. In part, finance. Have you been involved in any large transactions as of late? Again, I’m not charging you with anything, this is for the sake of sorting greater scope things out. I don’t even personally have the authority to do anything like that. I could totally lie to my employer and claim you admitted to every murder in the last five years and it wouldn’t do squat.” I pretend to smile all nice, laughing briefly. “I hope you trust at least that I’m not going to do that.”

"Yeah, haha... shit, man... if you didn't know my name, I think you would have absolutely the wrong guy." He leans forward. "Listen, man... helping you with your shit is kinda boring... I'll tell you everything I know though, if you help me with something I'm trying to figure out, good deal?"

“If it ensures your cooperation, I’ll assist to the best of my ability.” I guess?????

"So." He hiccups. "Oh my god, haha..." He shakes his head. "So there's this guy, right? Gus Amon. Apparently, he was working for the therapist Carolyn Blythe for just the last few weeks? Days or so? Fuck if I remember. But very recently. That's what she told me. Before that, he was a butler or some shit for Shuichi Maoziwarm. Maoziwam? Maozi... mazoi-shit, man... Anyway, before that he was a police officer." He shakes his head. "This guy is in some deep shit. I think his car got spotted at the killing of this girl, right? And the kicker is... well, at the same time, some mafia guy shot this girl. And just a bit later, that mafia guy turned up dead." He belches softly. "...I'm trying to figure out more about Gus Amon. This picture doesn't fit together. You're a private investigator, right? Tell me what you know about the guy. Apparently, even my neighbors and shit know who this guy is, man..."

true? @Ehn/PC

That's--! Is it the same guy? I don't know, but I have to assume it is. Gus Amon... his full name. And he... But what the hell? All these other names... is this some kind of freak coincidence?? Have I met the person who can answer everything? And the mafia guy... ugh. I need to frame this like I'm answering him, at any rate. I take a deep breath. "I'm not entirely familiar with all the details, but I'm aware of this case. Or I guess, these cases. I'm curious how you know about them, but that can wait. Let me summarize some points."

7:50 PM

And he used to be a police officer. Could "Gus" be 's name?

7:52 PM

"Gus Amon is dead. Prior to this, he had confirmed affiliations with the mafia."

"Yeah, apparently he killed himself right in front of that Carolyn chick. You know, she's not all bad, I think she's actually kinda nice..." He's leaning his head back.

"HE W--" I clear my throat. "I've had separate reasons to be suspicious of Carolyn Blythe. But before now, I considered it a largely unrelated incident. I've clearly been left out of the loop of some important information."

"Suspicious of her? She's like, a therapist, man. She's barely involved with this at all. Seems like she just tried to help him, seriously fucked it up, and then he killed himself or something."

"It could certainly be unrelated. Again, I don't have the authority to act immediately on anything. But Carolyn Blythe was involved in a missing person incident. It was resolved, but not in a way that absolved her of my suspicion." This is... close enough to true.

(come on sciiiipe you take so long to type sciiiiiiiiiiipe)

"Compounding that with her close connection to a known felon can draw some wary looks. In addition... the girl who died. The one Gus was suspect for, because of the location of his vehicle. Do you... know her name, by any chance?"

The Fungus

(come on sciiiipe you take so long to type sciiiiiiiiiiipe)

((hopefully, after nine craigillion years in development, it will have been worth the wait))

The edge of his mouth twitches. "Michelle. Her name was Michelle. The girl that was shot was Dana Craig. Wait-" he jumps up from laying to an upright sitting position. "I need to fucking... I need to fucking google if it happened at Subway."

8:01 PM

"Holy shit, if it happened at Subway... then that fucking guy... he must've fucking..." he chuckled to himself. "Oh man, that poor guy..."

"C--Calm down. Both of those sound correct to me. I don't believe the location was of significance?" Don't fucking google Dana Craig holy SHIT

"No man, I met this fucking guy, and he works at Subway. And he was telling me about this insane guy that started shooting people..." He chuckles.

8:03 PM

"...Shit, if Carolyn was involved in what happened... man, I gotta tell Grace."

"...Grace Rollins. A close friend of Michelle, and a client of Carolyn Blythe. That was another connection."

"Carolyn drives her up the wall, man. Seems like every day Grace comes back in here crying about something Carolyn said. It's fucked up, really. Doctors shouldn't do that to people."

She... I make an upset face. It's not fake, maybe? "I'm sure circumstances have made her particularly vulnerable emotionally. I feel sorry for the girl." I shake my head. "While we can't call it unrelated, the incident involving Dana Craig seems... shall we say, unplanned. It's unlikely that a member of the mafia would just happen to show up to Michelle's workplace on the day she dies. But Michelle wasn't there, and what happens from then on is a freak accident of misfortune. It's outside my area of interest."

8:10 PM

I clear my throat. "You started this with a question: What's the deal with Gus Amon? My answer is that he is a former police officer turned criminal mastermind. He may have killed Michelle, but he also may have not done so. I'm not sure what piece you're unsatisfied with or believe is missing, but there's a high chance it's related to the business I came here for."

He chews the side of his mouth. "It's like, motive, dog. That's the fucking, police name or investigator name or whatever. Michelle was just some chick, right? She was killed in her home. Why would Gus Amon, a... a criminal mastermind as you say, fucking... walk up and shit and just cap her? It doesn't make any sense."

"My opinion as a detective is that there amounts to four possibilities, which may intersect or all contain elements of the truth. That there is something we do not know about Gus, something we do not know about Michelle, something we do not know about Carolyn Blythe... or something we do not know about Shuichi Maoziwam."

"...Well, anyway. I haven't made any big purchases recently..." He sighs. "I'm probably fucking useless for your damn investigation anyway..." He sighs. "Sorry for keeping you here, it's just been a while since I've had anybody else to smoke with." "...A long while."

8:18 PM

"'Sides Grace, I mean..."

8:19 PM

(when is a good time to go get dinner btw)

((you can eat i will permit it))

((I will NOT permit it(I am evil person who enjoys when people starve to death))

((Idk I guess I can continue. Just meant that we’re already gonna be ahead apparently since we’re the only two people who actually existed today so there’s no need to rush))

(Ok but this seems to be a PC conversation that could go on for a while)

8:54 PM

(Idk what's your opinion atmey)

((I do not really mind))

“I don’t mind. This has been informative. My employer believed you were related to an inexplicable surge in earnings for Maoziwam, but I can’t guarantee he’s right about this.” I think of what else I can ask about. “Do you know Sean Niebel?”

"Who? I don't know who that is... sorry. You want another hit by the way?" He'll offer the bong to Dana.

Dana will accept. “(cough) Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve been subject to an infuriatingly spotty source of information myself. He’s some kind of CEO, I think? I would much sooner believe he’d be involved in some monetary scheme. You seem, uh, well off, but certainly not the type for that. Still, there’s a reason your name came up.” I look right at Grobber. “How exactly do you know about any of this? Plenty of it is public record, and you happen to have a personal connection to Blythe. But I find it strange to imagine your interest in this is a matter of a hobby.”

"...hm. I'll answer your question, but indulge me for a second. Why do you believe I'm involved in this, with Shuichi and all this shit?"

“Several days ago, a man named Mats Rumen stole from Maoziwam’s holdings. He also died, but we’ll table that for now; I think it has a very mundane explanation.” “The security at the location he stole from was… highly unusual. As was the manner in which he organized the inventory. This, combined with the fact that, though their relationship was tenuous, Rumen worked for Maoziwam, has caused my employer to suspect that the crime was some sort of charade to distract the police while he nets a profit elsewhere.” I bonghit. “I follow his logic, but he skips from this to ‘the money came from Niebel and Grobber and Gus Amon probably masterminded it’ without explanation or elaboration. We… aren’t on the best of terms. So I’m trying to solve something he thinks he’s already figured out, since it’s a prerequisite to what he actually wants me to figure out. Completely ridiculous.”

"...Give me a moment." Grobber checks his bank account on his phone.

9:32 PM

@Ehn/PC

I wait, not knowing he’s doing specifically this or what it will result in.

9:33 PM

((rules that we are both stubbornly attached to our grammatical perspective in narration))

9:33 PM

((characterization vital))

Grobber's bank account is entirely empty.

"Ah. Literally all my money was stolen." He leans back. "Ah, fuck."

"Is that a lot?" Ariel.

"My bank account is empty. So that's why my card bounced yesterday..."

9:35 PM

"Yes. Several hundred thousand dollars, man... shit!" (edited)

9:37 PM

"Oh my god... and Gus Amon was. He was in this house! I... I knew he wasn't using the bathroom! Oh my god!"

“I see. If nothing else, you’re definitely cleared in my eyes from having any knowing part in this.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry for breaking this to you. I can only hope there’s adequate protection against this sort of fraud.”

"I solved it! Fuck yeah, haha.... oh my god..."

“So it was him. Hmph.”

"That fuck... christ."

“Why was he in your house? We know the real reason now, of course, but what did he tell you?”

"...well shit. How am I gonna pay taxes!"

9:40 PM

"He came together with Carolyn... when she wanted to come see me."

9:40 PM

"Christ, I'm fucked! I'm dead! No!" He clutches his head.

9:41 PM

"Carolyn, she came for me... she wanted to talk to me about Grace. fuck! FUCK!"

9:42 PM

"I'm dead man... shit." He sighs.

9:43 PM

"I can't buy any more weed. Fuck."

“Hey, money…” What? Isn’t everything? This is beyond a small issue. I don’t understand this man’s situation, but it’s pretty fucking clear he’s not going to be able to bounce back from this the way some shithead CEO would. You’re here for money. You just rambled about hating what it takes to survive. You’d be lying to him. Here because minimum wage wasn’t enough. Even that was more than zero. I sigh. So much for the detective. “I’m trying to act professional about this, but I’m honestly incredibly fucking mad right now. Not at you, just generally. …My real name is Dana Craig. You can probably intuit why I worried I might want to hide that.”

9:49 PM

“It was inevitably going to be found out. My appearance isn’t exactly some state secret. I’m just paranoid as of late.”

9:53 PM

“I was later than I intended to be coming here than I planned today. That’s because I was held at gunpoint by armed thugs accusing me of killing Gus. Yesterday, I searched for my… I searched for Grace Rollins, who you know, concerned about her well being. I found her alive, but on the verge of an emotional breakdown over Carolyn Blythe. Before that, I was interrogated obsessively by the police trying to make me confess something I don’t even know of. And before that, the woman I’ve spent many a workday standing next to leaves the store buying some cup ramen and never returns to anyone ever again.”

9:54 PM

“Gus is dead, apparently. But whatever ugly hydra he sprang from is alive and well. And it’s trying to fuck with me. It’s already taken more from you than anyone should reasonably lose.”

"...Dana Craig, huh... Grace said I wouldn't wanna talk with you, no matter what." He stands up. "Sorry for turning this interrogation back on you, but in my defense, you made it easy. But I've got one more question for you. What's your opinion of Belto Shelk?"

I smile. “We’ve had something of a falling out. I’m sorry you’ve ended up in the middle of it. I wasn’t aware you two were familiar.” “Anyway, I don’t know? I really have no idea what you’re looking for here. With Belto Shelk. He’s fine. Not the best man to ever hold that position, but not the worst.”

"I was hoping that you hated the guy, er... sorry. I, uh... I kinda have a complex about Belto Shelk. One of his fans has been stalking and, uh... harassing me here." He stands up. "Well, whatever you need, this mystery and my group is all I have now. Literally, I guess, hahaha..."

"I do kind of hate him. But it's more of a personal annoyance than anything political. I didn't know he had 'fans'."

"Bigbeltoshelkfan..." he sighs. "Can you keep a secret? I like to share things with people I smoke with. It's about how I got most of my information about... everything."

"I'm pretty good at hiding information."

"I'm The Fungus."

"That’s the guy from the attacks with the homeless people, right?"

"I see. I don't understand exactly what this means, but I've heard that set of words."

10:09 PM

"Ariel seemed to know about this, yeah."

"Okay... the attacks aren't the main thing, they were- augh."

10:10 PM

"Yeah... I have a lot of pull with the broken and downtrodden of this city, heheh..."

10:11 PM

"...We broke into the police station. I got this." He stands up and fetches the police report on Michelle's killing.

I look through it. "...Wow. I've wanted this sort of information for a while now. Thank you, The Fungus." I provide The "Brentwood Grobber" Fungus with my phone number, solidifying our status as allies.

LFG!!!

10:14 PM

"Okay. Well, you're due for a story."

10:14 PM

He glances at Ariel. "What's your deal by the way?"

Ariel provides both of them with her phone number, solidifying her status as gay.

The Fungus

He glances at Ariel. "What's your deal by the way?"

"Oh, I just help Dana."

10:17 PM

I accept Ariel's act of providing me her phone number which I already have and have used to communicate with her just earlier today. I am a hospitable friend.

"...My life is a fucking disaster. Since my parents passed, I've been rotting away in this house, mostly alone, but sometimes with Grace. Several days ago, a dog... I saw a dog... and... uh..." He scratches the back of my head. "Okay, I'll admit, I was super high, uh... but I got... superpowers. I think... I was chosen by something. I was chosen by The Fungus." He gives a small grin. "That's why people follow me. I perform miracles. Well, Grace told me to break into this police station. She wanted me to help her solve this mystery. I've also... well, I've been in contact with Carolyn. We're... friends, I guess."

"I see." Obviously I completely believe this, but it's better for him to think I'm maybe just humoring him.

10:24 PM

A lonesome heir. That makes sense, I suppose.

He is too high to grok this social move.

Double triple bluff failure.

"That's how I know most of this stuff. I hear shit from the homeless, Carolyn told me stuff, and Grace has looked into all this stuff a bunch."

10:28 PM

"She seems to think someone else did it... some guy."

"That makes sense. The Carolyn and Grace connections already explained a lot of why your name would come up and you'd know this stuff, and the rest is the sort of thing that might be accessible via local rumors. And I'd agree there's some unknown element here. As for me, I don't feel like hiding this either. I'm uh..." I scratch the back of my head. "Well, beyond the personal connections you probably know of like Grace, the person I've heard a lot from is the employer I mentioned. He's a cop, but his association with me is strictly outside of that context. Pretty sure it's technically illegal. He's kinda blackmailing me, but it's in a way where I get to make a living, so whatever."

"Well I guess that's how we got here... where do we go next? I guess I could go back to Carolyn... she fucking owes me for letting Gus in my home. But my guess is she'll stonewall me. Shuichi hasn't returned any of my emails about Gus. So uh... who else do we have?"

"Me personally? I'm going to try to talk to Carolyn again at some point. I spoke with her earlier, but I didn't know about... a lot of this, back then. Maybe I'll have better luck than you. I imagine you're probably at a disadvantage trying to get something out of a conversation with a person whose job it is to understand your way of thinking. But she has no fucking idea who I really am." I yawn. It's been a long day, and I'm not even sure if it's particularly late yet. "Also probably going to stop by my old workplace. I haven't spoken with my boss since before all of this, and I only had a very short exchange with the night shift janitor guy a little while ago. Maybe he knows something." I pause. "And I guess I do have to report back to my benefactor-slash-extorter. I'll try to be reasonable with it. No stuff about being the Fungus or anything overly personal, just the facts of how Gus screwed you over. That work for you?"

He sighs. "...yeah. I'm gonna... I'll figure something out. If I find anything out about... this-" he sighs. "I'll let you know. And if you need a place to crash, I'm pretty far off the grid. As long as I can pay property taxes, I guess... heheh... Its been a long time since I've had a positive social interaction." He gives a tired smile. "Its nice to, eh, meet you, and shit, hahaha..."

I smile. “Likewise. I’ll keep you posted on what I figure out. I’m likely to be asked to look into other things as well. Ariel too. She’s sort of caught up in all this by circumstance.” I successfully remember Ariel exists.

Grace bursts into the house. "…Dana? What the fuck!?" ((End session))

((Brentwood, what are you doing? Craig. What the FUCK?!))

(Haha Grobber you are befriending my estranged former associate)

:thefungusnextsession:

((Ariel somehow 4th wheeling but in a worse way))

((that is the most ariel thing to do yes))

((tbh ariel being like me despite not being controlled by me is truly perfect. There was a time where I was the 31st wheel somehow because literally every single couple decided to come out into the place where I was third-wheeling my friends and there was just that many of them so this is extremely fitting lol.))

Grace bursts into the house. "…Dana? What the fuck!?"

I blink twice. “…Hello.”

"What are you doing here!?"

Grobber purses his lips. His gaze flits between the two women.

“Investigation. I didn’t know you knew this guy.”

"And you just happened to come here? Yeah, right. Who put you up to this? Carolyn? It was her, wasn't it?"

“No. Why would I listen to anything she said? I’m here on a matter unrelated to that. The world doesn’t revolve around you, Grace.”

Grobber winces some at that comment.

Grace winces at well. "...Fuck you."

I stare at her, smirking slightly. “Am I unwelcome, then? I was about to head out, actually. No need to make a scene.”

Grobber swallows and begins to speak, but stops and looks away.

“You’re both quite good friends, I get it. No need to push this, I can take a hint.” Perhaps Grace Rollins is the Ariel May of Brentwood Grobber.

Ariel waves to Grace. "Hi." "Who’s she?" Grace.

“This is Ariel May. Her name’s Ariel May.”

"It’s true. My name is Ariel May." Ariel May. "Yeah, I got it the first time." Grace.

Grobber leans over to Grace. "She came with Dana... er. I think they're investigating??? Together..." He coughs. "Oh and Dana, you... er.... I don't know how you got here, but you probably dont want to be driving... if you're not used to... uh... yeah."

“Nah. I used public transport. Don’t own a car.”

"Sounds like a lot of effort to come here for an 'investigation'." Grace. "Why would you be investigating him anyway?"

“Because someone stole all his money.”

"..." He sighs. "...Yeah. I... it's all gone. I think it was when Carolyn came over... that guy that was with him. He said he used the bathroom... but I don't think he did."

1:32 PM

"He was doing something... all the money's gone now. I'm... broke, haha..."

1:32 PM

He hangs his head.

"...What? Really?" Grace. "All of it?"

He nods. "I checked today... and my card bounced unexpectedly a few days ago. The house still probably has some value... but... it's all gone."

"But... That doesn't... That can't... She came for me. Why would they take all of your money?" Grace.

"It..."

1:36 PM

"...Should we call her? I was going to anyway."

“I don’t believe we can say for sure if Blythe is involved or not.”

1:37 PM

“It seems obvious there’s a lot of different connections Gus could’ve held highest priority, for doing this prior to kicking the bucket.”

1:38 PM

“If the information I’ve gotten is right, Maoziwam likely benefits directly from this, for one.”

"Maoziwam? Like... the rich guy?"

“That would be the one. Shuichi.”

"...I think I'm gonna call her. Yeah." He smiles a bit.

"No, no, you're on the wrong track... It's... No, it's not... The mastermind is a different guy. Stop complicating this with your delusional theories." Grace.

“Are you referring to me?”

Grobber pulls out his phone and calls Carolyn Blythe.

“I wouldn’t call this delusional. It could be wrong, but it’s unbiased by personal attachments. My only thing to hold against Maoziwam is being a guy with an exorbitant amount of money who spends it in an idiotic way, and that would be the case for anyone behind this.”

"Look, just... Just stay out of it, okay? I'll handle this." Grace. "How?" Ariel.

“I don’t really trust that, given you had no idea ‘this’ even happened before five seconds ago. But good luck.”

(What should I do now should I say I'm calling her in the Grobber carolyn channel)

Carolyn answers the phone.

1:47 PM

((Just talk in both channels since Dana could hear))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-and-grobber

"H-hey, ah... what's up?"

"Nothing in particular. I've been seeing a couple clients, including Grace. Though she isn't here right now, thankfully. Did you have something you wanted to ask me?"

"Yeah, so... when you decided to come here... did Gus have any input on that decision?"

"...Yes, he was the one who suggested it. I had my own reasons for coming, of course, as I made you aware of at the time. But Gus, well, I believe it was your computer he was after. I have no reason to hide this from you, I can't protect a dead man, after all."

"....Yeah. So, okay. He stole like, over a million dollars for me. Hundreds of thousands."

1:57 PM

"...And he told you to come here?"

"Yes, I was well aware that he wished to conduct illegal activities at your house. I did not realize it was so large scale, but I suppose that does not frame me in a more positive light. I could make excuses, being under threat of death would be the easiest, but your opinion of me does not necessarily need to be high for your happiness. In this situation, I feel it's best I admit the truth."

"...Okay. I... I don't care." He pauses.

"I need to get that money back Carolyn. I'm... I'm personally involved now, r-right? I... I don't have a choice. Do you have any idea of what to do?"

"..." "And why didn't you tell me?"

“What?! Don’t ask her for advice!” Dana Craig's voice comes from the other side of the phone.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / dana-and-grobber

Carolyn answers the phone.

1:47 PM

((Just talk in both channels since Dana could hear))

Yeah

1:48 PM

"H-hey, ah... what's up?"

((There've been weirder contrivances))

Dana Craig

“I don’t really trust that, given you had no idea ‘this’ even happened before five seconds ago. But good luck.”

"Oh, fuck you." Grace. "You’re such a narcissist."

(No I think this is the best way to handle it this is good thumbs

)

“I’d like to think of myself as someone with a healthy level of self-esteem.”

"Yeah, so... when you decided to come here... did Gus have any input on that decision?"

Dana Craig

“I’d like to think of myself as someone with a healthy level of self-esteem.”

"It’s true." Ariel. "Get real." Grace.

“Where is this even coming from? Do you honestly think you know me? I’ve spent, what, an hour with Grobber? And I already think I’m more aware of him as a person than you are of me.”

1:55 PM

“I was the girl Michelle knew, right? And some of your interests she wasn’t really the type to get involved in. So I was the substitute. That’s fine. Makes sense.”

Grobber sets the phone to speaker and sets it on the counter. He motions to Dana and Grace to be quiet.

1:56 PM

right after that happens yup

1:56 PM

"....Yeah. So, okay. He stole like, over a million dollars for me. Hundreds of thousands."

I nod to Grobber in affirmation, having gotten the last word in.

"...And he told you to come here?"

2:00 PM

(okay if she says something do i just post it here)

2:00 PM

Grace stares at the phone in stunned silence.

What a nutter.

"...Okay. I... I don't care." He pauses. "I need to get that money back Carolyn. I'm... I'm personally involved now, r-right? I... I don't have a choice. Do you have any idea of what to do?" "..." "And why didn't you tell me?"

“What?! Don’t ask her for advice!”

Grobber gives Dana a 'Why are you talking!?!?!' look and does the

2:04 PM

(also should we make just one channel now lol)

((Yeah good idea))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-dana-grobber

"Perhaps I was a bit shaken from watching a suicide yesterday. Whatever the reason, it was a failure on my part to not mention this, yes. I did not purposefully keep it hidden from you... Well, aside from when we met on the day it was stolen, of course. Gus was my only real connection to the mob, so unfortunately I can't really help in giving advice. I wish you luck, obviously."

"…How did you have a connection to the mob? That’s not exactly a normal therapist thing." Grace.

"...Alright, well then I guess my only, er... real option I suppose is to ask the police... ...You'd be okay with them visiting you, right? It feels like you've been involved in all this... with Gus... you know a lot more than me."

“Oh, it’s fine! She only has one!” I chuckle.

"If it's alright with you, I'd rather not involve myself with the police, I don't exactly have... good experiences with them. As for my connection, you could say it was forced upon me, I didn't really have a choice in the matter."

"She’s right. You don’t want to go to the police." Grace.

I smile.

"...Carolyn. You did just admit to a few of us... that you knowingly abetted him in committing a crime, and now... I-I don't have anything anymore..." He coughs. "And from what people have told me, you seem to have a whole lot of connections to all this thing..." "Carolyn, I like you a lot... really... heheh... but... I had everything taken away from me, right? I really want to get it back... and I'll do everything I can to do that... right? And if the only way is going to the police... I need a place to live, Carolyn. Grace and I need to eat. You understand that, right? You want us to be happy."

"You're right, I certainly would assist in helping you acquire that happiness, but how exactly would turning me into the police benefit you? I've told you everything I know related to this matter. Allowing me the freedom to try to find a way to help you on my end seems like the superior option, don't you think?"

"...You're right, Carolyn. It- it would be wrong of me to do that to you... I understand what it can be like to have people judge you... er... I guess I'm just assuming you feel judged by the police, sorry... eheheh..." He swallows. "...You actually haven't told me a lot. How did you meet Gus? It seems you only knew each other for a short time..."

"I suppose some context on my relationship would be helpful, yes. I first met Gus the day before we visited you, he broke into my home and attempted to blackmail me, holding me at gunpoint as he explained that I was to follow his orders. He needed someone to distract you while he entered the house, that was my role. Once that was finished, he never spoke of you again, moving onto different jobs for the mob. Is that an understandable series of events?"

“Do you know a Shuichi Maoziwam? I don’t mean knowing of him. I mean any more direct connection. A friend of a friend, perhaps?” I say this such that Carolyn can hear.

"...I've never met him, but I have a connection, yes. I know I said I would help you, but this connection is also someone I wish to help, so I must be sure of something first. What do you intend to do with them?"

“I see.” I stop. I wanted to prod more on Gus, but unless he’s secretly alive, she’s talking about someone else. I… “I suppose I don’t have any real intents to do anything with them beyond try to ask a few questions.”

"...Carolyn... you said Gus committed suicide in front of you. I know it must have, ehm... been so troubling... If you were some person he found as a distraction... why were you so important? Why would he commit suicide... in front of you? What did he say?"

“Tch.” I wanted to push on that. He’s being… way too soft.

"I'm sorry, but... that is a bit of a personal matter. I assure you, it's unrelated to your situation. It was entirely because of... my failure to help him. But that's fine, I'm helping you now, after all. As for my connection with Shuichi, it's likely I'd be able to set up a meeting with Dana, if that would help."

"Mmm." You hear Grobber murmur while biting his lip.

2:35 PM

"Dana?"

“That would be fantastic.” In truth, I don’t care that much about jeopardizing her ability or willingness to introduce me to someone who probably doesn’t even have any helpful information. So… “I do have one more thing I’m curious about, though.” (edited)

"Go ahead and ask, I hope I can provide a satisfactory answer."

“A week ago, my coworker Michelle was murdered. The location of Gus’s car made him the prime suspect. This possible-murderer turned to you for aid in a different matter, seeking out you specifically to do something as generic as distracting someone. The someone in question was one of your clients, a friend of my associate Grace Rollins, also a client of yours. He used this opportunity to steal massive sums of cash for the benefit of a man you’ve already mentioned you have a second different intermediate with.” My pace shifts as I go through this, expression changing, no longer bored or a half-patronizing smile but something closer to the Dana picrew. “Then, the one other person who would know the truth about this event suddenly dies right in front of you, in a situation that seems to have been marked down by every single person as a suicide with the exception of a man who actually knew him personally. I actually got blamed for his death by a guy, haha. Wonder what sequence of misfires caused that. Anyway, now despite the forces intervening, I made it to the man I wanted to talk to. I didn’t know you existed at all until a couple days ago, Carolyn, but I just keep hearing your name come up. From someone who seems terrified of you, calls you crazy, to someone who parasocially latches onto you far beyond the regular professionalism and simple clerical role a therapist should have.” I’m not really considering my surroundings at this point. “Sorry, I’m kind of rambling, eheh. It’s been a long day. Anyway, I was just wondering, do you think you’re a good liar?”

"..."

2:55 PM

"...Carolyn's not my therapist, she's eh... she's a fr-"

2:55 PM

"She's just, eh... a person I know... eh..."

2:55 PM

"Heheh..." He swallows.

Carolyn lets out a small laugh "No, I don't believe myself a good liar at all. Keeping confidentiality, sure, but lying isn't exactly needed in my trade. Ms. Craig, if you'd like to accuse me of something, I'd ask you to be a bit more direct."

Grobber swallows. "Eh- hem... we could... we could do this l- we could... eh... nevermind..."

I shake my head. “She’s not your friend. She’s someone paid to talk to you. Maybe she’s good at that! But you can’t rely on a therapist for more general life fulfillment. Being reliant on someone else just to function isn’t good for you.” I respond to Carolyn. “No, I just wondered about that. Thanks for your time.”

"No I... I don't even- I've met Carolyn once... like... ever. I've n-never gone to therapy... or eh. Paid a therapist... or..." He sighs.

3:01 PM

"Do either of you have anything to ask?"

3:01 PM

"I mean Grace or Dana... Ehm. That's what I meant..."

“Oh. Looks like I jumped to conclusions, then. I try not to do that. Sorry, Grobber.”

"I don’t have anything to ask." Ariel May, who is also on the call.

"I... it's fine. I'm fine. I just... eh... it was... yeah. It's fine."

"Grobber is being honest when he says I'm not his therapist, but Dana does have a point. Self-sufficiency is quite vital to living a satisfied, happy life. Not to say you shouldn't have connections, but I do try to help clients to the point where they can function on their own."

"Oh... sorry Carolyn." He slouches a little.

3:02 PM

"And.. sorry Ariel. I didn't know if you wanted Carolyn to know that-"

3:03 PM

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

Grace is silent.

"If that's everything, I do have another incoming call, so I will wish the four of you luck, and see what I can do to help uncover information."

“Goodbye, Carolyn.”

"Ehm... sorry Carolyn! I- they came and they were talking about you... and I thought it might be better to ask you yourself, heheh... it got out of hand... it always does. I'll talk to you later! I'll tell you if I find out anything else... Yeah. Thanks Carolyn." He nods.

3:05 PM

"Okay bye." He hangs up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / dana-and-grobber

Grobber will give a sly smirk to everyone else in the room after his comment.

Grobber gives a nod to Dana and keeps his mouth shut for a moment. @Dana, Insolent Fool of Omelas

Dana stares at him puzzled.

"She's definitely lying." He nods. "You should bug her about that..."

“…Thanks, Grace.” I finally get up. “Had I just walked out earlier, I would’ve missed something very valuable.” I’m still a little giddy and adrenaline fueled.

"Whatever she's hiding, revealing it would be more of a problem then... well, us in her case." He swallows. "So it's important."

3:07 PM

He slumps his shoulders. "Man... that got intense..." He sighs.

Dana Craig

“…Thanks, Grace.” I finally get up. “Had I just walked out earlier, I would’ve missed something very valuable.” I’m still a little giddy and adrenaline fueled.

"Oh, you’re just so welcome."

3:07 PM

This is evident sarcasm.

"...Whatever. I'm glad I got to talk to her, at least..." He's in his own little world.

“Ah, sorry. How dare you show up to this place you had a reason to show up to, Grace! I’m personally offended by this, because your very presence at anything I consider relevant to my personal life beyond the utility based role I assign to you is a disgrace!” Haha. That was a pun accidentally. “Is that better?”

Grobber sighs and goes through his phone to check his emails and notifications and such. (edited)

Dana Craig

"I'm not giving you any role! I’m just asking you to get out of my life!" Grace.

“I’m not making any effort to be in your life. I apologize for not moving out of the country so you have no chance of seeing me, but money’s tight right now.”

"God, you are the most painfully smug person I’ve ever met. How were we ever friends!? I give you the slightest rude response and you start responding like a redditor meeting a 5 year old." Grace. "I don’t think she’s that bad." Ariel.

(I'm like 15 minutes away from boarding I can probably still be here for a tiny bit after that though)

3:28 PM

Grobber will move to a different part of the room and start going through his notepad, writing to himself.

“I never said friends. I didn’t bring that word up. But if you think it sounds like I’m talking to a child, who does that reflect on?” I start heading out of the building.

He'll grab his bong and take another hit. His motions seem rehearsed. He has gone through scenarios like this before. (edited)

Dana Craig

“I never said friends. I didn’t bring that word up. But if you think it sounds like I’m talking to a child, who does that reflect on?” I start heading out of the building.

"Fuck you!" She just yells this at Dana as she leaves.

3:34 PM

Ariel waves goodbye and follows Dana.

Grobber will text Dana. Bye. Let me know if you find anything out. I hope you make it home safe. Keep in touch.

3:39 PM

"Mmf." He'll say as she is leaving.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grace sat down on the couch.

Grobber will also text Ariel. "It was good to meet you. Sorry we couldnt talk much. Keep in touch." Before sighing and walking over to Grace.

4:44 PM

"Hi."

"...I... I don't know how much longer I can keep the place. A couple weeks at least." He takes a hit of the bong before offering it to Grace. "...Shit, man."

"Well, maybe I can help."

He looks at Grace in surprise. "..." He shakes his head. "I... I dont want it to come to that. I'll try and figure something out." He'll rub his temples.

5:12 PM

"Thanks though. I appreciate it."

"No, I mean. That mastermind. The one causing all of this. He’s rich. And… He’s my father. Maybe we can get his money."

"Wh-what? Are you serious?" He whips around. "How would we even do that?"

"Well, if we lock him up. I can probably access his wealth. Somehow."

"..." He bites his lip. "Your dad... you would be comfortable doing that? Is he a... bad guy?"

"He’s… The worst. Carolyn just dug it all out of me, I don’t feel like going back through it. But the point is I want to send him to jail. And I want your help to do it. The… forging evidence idea. Let’s do it."

He bites his lip a little bit and nods. "Okay. W-we can, yeah. We just have to put something on him, legally speaking?"

"Yeah."

He nods to himself. "Y-yeah. Okay, great." He stands up and starts to think.

5:24 PM

"...Yeah." He smiles. "Okay. Let's do this."

5:24 PM

(I'm boarding, can we call this session?)

((Yeah))

((Saturday))

(Goddammit I totally should've smoked last session. I'll have to work on the fly with whatever I roll on Saturday)

She looked outside the window.

Grobber looks as well, idly thinking to himself. "...So do you have a name, an address, or... how should I find this guy?"

She takes a moment. "Fredrick Wight."

"..." He pauses.

3:12 PM

"...He wouldn't be related to a Sophie, would he?"

She looks up at him in shock. "What?"

"Sophie Wight."

3:13 PM

"Th-that's the name. Sophie."

"How do you-?"

He tilts his head. "Sophie and I ran into each other before... I think I saw her get abducted."

"When?"

He shakes his head. "It would've been just a few days ago now... I know who did it, too..." He gulps.

"Well, it doesn’t matter. She’s in the hospital now."

"She is? How is she wrapped up in all of this... is she your sister?"

"Yeah."

"I'm so sorry... to have witnessed your sister's kidnapping... and not having told you."

3:31 PM

"I'm..."

3:31 PM

He looks away.

3:31 PM

"I didn't realize."

"It's alright. It's... Not like I ever saw her either."

"...It was a strange situation... she-" He shakes his head and sighs.

3:33 PM

"It was a weird night. I think she might've thought I had something to do with it." He sighs. "But the guy was threatening me too. Jeff Johnner... he was a suspect in the police case file."

"...The lead suspect the police had in the death of Michelle... kidnapped the mastermind's daughter just a few days ago?"

"...Hm. It's definitely weird, but we don't really know enough to guess anything."

He rubs his temples. "This is... augh... like, it's all so maddeningly convoluted, man..."

3:56 PM

"But you're right. It's best if we just focus on the task at hand." He purses his lips and nods. "I'll be right back." He goes and fetches his magic bong.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I'm just grabbing a... thing." He smirks.

4:00 PM

"...How much do you think we would need to pin it on this guy?" He asks.

"I'm not sure. I'm not a lawyer."

"Hmmmm..." He purses his lips, and shakes his head. "I suppose we're gonna have to go with enough."

4:04 PM

He goes over to his room and connects the computer from his closet to his new display, and begins to draft up letters of communication between Gus Amon and Fredrick Wight.

4:05 PM

He writes about plans to take money out of people's accounts, a plot to kill Michelle, etc.

4:05 PM

He keeps the details pretty vague.

"That simple?"

He shakes his head. "No... I want to build a lot. An attack, er... on all fronts, you know? And the first thing I wanna do is establish a paper trail..."

4:19 PM

"...Would you have a way to get into his house?"

"Uh... Maybe? I'd rather not be seen by him until I confront him though."

He nods. "Yeah, of course... that's for the best... he can't get wise until we're done."

4:25 PM

He goes to his closet and puts his bong, some gloves, and a facemask into a backpack. "Do you think we could get into Michelle's?"

"Huh?"

He turns his head to Grace. "The police report said her security was pretty awful, so if the pigs aren't still swarming the place, we should be able to get in... and what happens if some of her stuff turns up in someplace only Fredrick should have access to?"

"I guess that makes sense."

He nods. "We don't really have much to go on... it looks like she was shot... and the only other piece of physical evidence only leads back to Amon."

4:33 PM

He cracks his neck. "Yeah."

4:34 PM

He'll print the letters out and kind of scramble them up, and ruffle them slightly as he puts them in his backpack. He'll look around and give Grace a thumbs up. "Oh, and for reference, do you have his address?"

"Yeah." She gave it.

"Oh! And hers, as well?"

She gave this one too.

"Alright. See you soon." He sees if there is a bus or similar public transportation that would take him to Michelle's location.

It's walkable.

LFG!!! Ok first he'll go into the forest with his magic bong and take several hits off of it.

((How many?))

(I still don't have a complete understanding of how this damn mechanic works lmao)

4:43 PM

He'll start with 6, and then depending on the results, prepare for 2 more.

Grobber grows a pair of wings. No clear effect. Grobber grows a tail. Grobber produces a glowing blade in his hand. No clear effect. No clear effect.

2 more

Grobber's bones feel weird. No clear effect.

He takes a few steps around, trying to ascertain whether the bone weirdness is good weird or bad weird.

They're just heavier.

Interesting. Okay my ooc assumption is that I can also potentially get bad results and the more I do in a day the more likely I get bad things.

4:52 PM

Anyway. Grobber will attempt to flap his wings. Does he feel like he can fly?

He can fly.

LFG!!!!

5:06 PM

He'll put his mask on and fly to Michelle's house.

People stare up at him in confusion.

Yeah i would too tbh

5:09 PM

"REP THE FUNGUS!!!!!!"

5:11 PM

He'll try and do fancy moves to show off his swag and shit (edited)

((Roll))

He isn't very impressive.

Ok but he's flying though. dub

Grobber arrived at Michelle's house.

He'll try and land in a place where he isn't seen.

5:16 PM

Or if she has a chimeny he'll go in through that.

She does not have a chimney. Grobber reaches the ground.

5:17 PM

He'll look at the house. Is there an obvious way in?

There is a door.

He puts his gloves on and tries to get in. Is it unlocked?

It's locked.

Did the police report specify a theoretical entry point? If not, he'll just circle the perimeter looking for any unlocked window.

The police suspected the windows, but they've all been shut now.

How many stories does this house have?

5:25 PM

The crime happened on the second floor.

He'll fly up to a second floor window I'm the back, rear up 6 or so feet, and try and rush into it with his elbow.

Grobber breaks through the window.

He grins. "This is so awesome."

5:30 PM

He'll peek around, investigating from a more objective angle. "Heh... look at me, peeking around for clues."

There's not really much to find. Just some blood where she died.

He sighs. Fair enough. Hell try and find any of her personal belongings that she would've recorded her thoughts in. Failing that, he'll find a few small trinkets she had.

She seems to own almost literally nothing beyond the big house itself. Just a bunch of necessities and common appliances. It's kind of sad, looking around.

"...Damn."

5:39 PM

"...Bliss, forevermore. From one to another. You would've loved the Fungus." He would take a couple things that might have her fingerprints or definitely something with blood on it, along with several photos of the crime scene on his phone.

5:42 PM

After that, he'll head out, back to his house. He'll print out the photos he took on his phone, then he'll delete them. After that, he'll head out to Fredrick's.

Fredrick lives in an avengard penthouse.

He cocks his head. So it's just an apartment, and theres no way in? (edited)

None.

Shit.

6:39 PM

He will try and see if he can perch somewhere and peer into the apartment.

Doesn't seem like anyone's home. The place is dark.

He nods to himself and returns home.

6:40 PM

What time is it?

Late evening.

He'll take all the 'evidence' (Pictures, articles, papers) and put them in plastic bags.

6:45 PM

Is Grace home?

Grace is still there. "How did it go?"

"I got stuff from Michelle's." He shows it off, with the papers in the bags. "And I checked out Fredrick's, which looked empty. And I grew wings."

6:47 PM

"...But I'm not sure if it'll be enough."

6:51 PM

"...Would there be any way to fake a witness testimony? ...Do you know anybody who would be willing to testify... against your dad?"

"..." She paused. "I thought this would be easier."

He looks back at her. "Don't worry. There's still more we can do."

6:55 PM

"...But the case has no physical evidence... and the trail's essentially gone cold. Unless we can get a conspirator connected for sure to throw him under the bus, or someone is willing to go out on a cock to l-lie for the dude, man... well... this is probably the best we're gonna do."

6:55 PM

"Except for one naughty trick."

"I expected to just... Walk in there and destroy him. I dunno."

Grobber bites the edge of his mouth. "This kinda thing... I don't think it's as dramatic as you would expect. There's no shortcuts. Unless you're looking to just ice the dude... well, like... uh.... this kinda thing is probably what you're gonna get."

6:57 PM

"Do you have any other ideas?"

"...Not really."

He nods. "Well there's one other thing." He moves over to his computer. "The reason I brought this out of storage is because it has the extra processing power to run something I saw..." He searches for pictures of Fredrick Wight online. Can he find any?

He's a famous news host. This is what he looks like.

He downloads a few hundred pictures of him and then turns back to Grace. "Can you email me any pictures of Michelle you have?"

"...I don't have any."

"Mmmm." He nods. He looks for any on the internet or in the police report.

There is a mugshot.

Cool. He'll take that, and finally he'll search to find if he can find any images of Marco Gould or Marco Gould's associates.

Marco Gould.

He downloads as many of he can of those as well.

7:20 PM

The last thing he'll download is a copy of Stable Diffusion the AI image generation interface or whatever technological equivalent there exists in this universe.

This happens.

Alright. He'll attempt to use this platform to generate several hundred images of Fredrick meeting with Marco Gould, and as many as possible of Fredrick intimidating Michelle with a gun.

((Roll))

There are some usable ones in here, with the right cropping.

Epic. Then he will crop them rightly and print them out. And for god's sakes, he'll encrypt his entire goddamn hard drive on this computer.

7:31 PM

He'll show the pictures to Grace. "You like?"

"It's... Fine, I guess."

He'll nod. "I could apply some amount of motion blurring to them, the people would probably still be recognizable, and the artifacts might be less noticeable if that would help." He sighs.

7:33 PM

"But beyond that... I think this is all we have."

"...Tomorrow, then?"

He'll nod to Grace. "Yeah. Tomorrow."

"..."

He nods at her a couple times. "... Do you think it'll be good enough?"

"I hope so."

He nods. "So we plant these tomorrow... then sneak out... then, say, after, we can report everything on a payphone?"

"No, I... I need to confront him. Directly."

7:38 PM

"I want him to know who caught him."

"Grace... So what are you gonna do, just tell him that you planted a bunch of stuff in his apartment? If we give him time to prepare... he'll probably be able to shrug all of this off."

7:40 PM

"...Shit, if he's as bad as you say he is, he will probably just kill you right there. You at the very least need police backup..."

"The last police officer I saw, I beat him with a chair. I don't exactly think I'm their favorite person. But I... I need to do this. Can't you let me try?" (edited)

He chews on his lip a little bit. "...Fine, but I have rules, okay?"

7:43 PM

"First, a copy of everything paper stays here, for safekeeping."

7:44 PM

"Second, if I come with you, I'm not related to the investigation, I'm just a friend, so he can't overpower you."

7:44 PM

"You found everything yourself."

7:45 PM

"Third, we have to tell someone where we're going... in case we get hurt. Okay?"

7:45 PM

"It can be Dana, or her friend, or my neighbor, or any one of your friends. But we have to tell someone."

7:46 PM

"...Deal?"

"...Deal."

"O-okay." He nods. "Let's do it late tomorrow morning."

She nodded.

"Also, one last question, is it not extremely strange I have wings?"

"Obviously. It's just... hard to really care about something like that in this situation. Sometimes, absurdity feels more real than normal things."

He nods. "Yeah, I agree. On that note, I'm going to disseminate some propaganda. Steady trails, Grace." He goes to his computer and will enter in some terms to the AI to generate the famous Fungus™️ image.

7:53 PM

He'll set this on an image with large black text. "SUBMIT TO THE FUNGUS, AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED"

7:54 PM

He'll print out like three quarters of his remaining printer paper of just this image, and put them in his backpack.

Grace laid down on the couch, letting Grobber work.

As he's about to leave, he'll walk over and gently pat her on the head. "Emm... sweet dreams."

She stares at him weirdly.

He nods at her then leaves.

7:58 PM

He'll fly off to any close, nearby parts of town that are still populated.

7:59 PM

Or like, densely populated. He's trying to find places where people are still around but still like, a mile away basically.

Grobber finds this.

Okay, he'll fly around, throwing his papers around. He'll continue flying, spreading these flyers as long as he has them.

People below him start to pick up the flyers.

Cool. He doesn't really care what they do with them. As he flies home, he'll check his phone to see how his Fungus oomfies are doing.

((What fungus oomfies? The suspects he DMed?))

yeah

8:04 PM

lmao

Most of the people who agreed have replied with the requested pictures. Some of them have photographed the same piece of vandalism and claimed to be responsible. 1 or 2 have just gone silent.

Good enough. He'll get back to them later.

8:10 PM

He'll return to his room and get in bed, and he'll stare at his ceiling some.

8:10 PM

He'll sigh.

8:10 PM

He'll get on his phone and call Ariel.

((End session))

LOL!

8:12 PM

sorry if you wanted me to finish today

((Saturday))

Ariel picks up. "Hello?"

"Oh, uh... hey... haha..."

2:25 PM

"Heh... So... this is, erm... Ariel right? Is this the right number?"

2:26 PM

"Oh shit I should, em."

2:26 PM

"I'm a."

2:26 PM

"I'm Grobber."

2:26 PM

"Brentwood, if you know more than one."

2:26 PM

"If you are Ariel, that is haha..."

2:26 PM

"...Em... I'm the guy who came to your hous"

2:27 PM

"I mean you came to my house today..."

2:27 PM

He gulps.

2:27 PM

"You are, erm... Ariel... right?"

"Yeah, that’s me!"

His eyes light up with a bit of surprise. "Oh, wow, haha!"

2:40 PM

"So... em.... yeah. I'm sorry for calling you, eheheh.... it's eh, late at night, but, emm..."

2:41 PM

"I guess your presence today kind of... confused me? You didn't really talk much. Did I say something? ... Did Grace say something?"

"No, I just prefer to let Dana work."

"... Hm."

2:47 PM

"...D- do you hate me because I... I'm involved with The Fungus? Do you think... Do you think I'm a bad person?"

"No, I can't really judge you for that. There are a lot of times when being a 'bad' person is completely okay. Like Dana."

"...Dana's not a bad person, right?" He chuckles some. "...She seems... she seems... driven. Like she knows what she's doing is a good thing."

"That’s true! I believe in her with all of my heart. But most people would look down on things like stealing, wouldn’t they? That’s what most people think of morality like at least, common consensus."

"I guess. I'm not really.. uh..."

"I'm not a philosopher, I guess. But I know that there's a lot of people that decide what's good and what's bad... nobody made morality to help people like you and me. I guess back when all that stuff was being laid out, like... everybody just had to fend for themselves." He sighs. "And then once the dice was rolled, and the lines were drawn. Once the winners were crowned and the losers were decided, they put up, like, fences, and, like, that's what fair means now, that's what the law is. Fuck all of that, man..." He sighs. "Now that the world is how it is, you can't buy groceries without taking stuff from people... they've made it impossible to be a good person." He shakes his head. "Oh, ehm. Shit, I didn't mean to go on like that... I guess I'm wasting your time. There's another question I wanted to ask you."

"Go ahead!"

"Why do you even... like, follow Dana? She has a pretty personal stake in everything... but why are you involved?"

"Well, if I didn’t have Dana, I wouldn’t have anything. It’s not exactly like I owe her for that, but I think things will go my way a lot more with Dana around."

"..." He swallows a bit. "I... I guess so." He sighs. "...How are you able to trust her enough to think that's a good idea? What if she leads you into a trap?"

"I just do." There’s a slight pause. "But if I doubted her like this, what would I have left? It’s best to just keep myself useful."

"...Yeah, I guess. It's nice to do something that others will see. I guess... if helping her feels right. Yeah." "You have an entire world in front of you, and you could choose to be useful to anything. What makes Dana different?"

"Oh, she’s not the first. I’ve had plenty of boys and girls come and go throughout my life. I try not to let these opportunities pass me by. That’s all."

"...Do you usually end things on good terms with these people?"

There’s a pause. "Sometimes."

"...But the hurt after is part of it, right?"

"I think Dana's better than that."

"You never know how anything is gonna end up. If your, er... deal with Dana feels right, if it gives you purpose, then it's good. Whether it ends in bliss or heartbreak. That's part of it, I guess. I think that's why anybody cares about anybody else in the first place. Everyone knows that nothing lasts forever."

"That’s true. But this time, I’d really like if it lasted forever. Maybe one of Ehn’s abilities can grant that wish."

"Why are you so easy to mention the dog? How do you know I know Ehn too?" He recoils a bit.

"I guess I don’t think these things through too much. That’s why I need Dana, isn’t it?"

Grobber does a

. "I guess. Yeah. I'm just surprised that you have..."

4:06 PM

"Whatever is going on in this town, it's gotta be all connected. Mention to Dana that I know a thing or two about the dog when you see her."

4:06 PM

"...Stay safe. I'm sorry for calling."

"It’s okay. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." He'll end the call.

4:08 PM

He'll sigh, and hold his legs.

4:08 PM

"Ehn?"

4:08 PM

"Hello?"

4:08 PM

"Can you hear me right now?"

No response.

"Am I going to be okay?"

4:10 PM

"Am I going to be safe?"

4:10 PM

"Does all of this have a purpose!?!?"

4:10 PM

"Why did it happen to me? What am I supposed to do with it! I... I'm not supposed to have this! I can't do anything with it!"

4:11 PM

"Why!?!?"

4:12 PM

He'll sigh.

4:12 PM

He'll go into the kitchen, and pull a blender out of one of the cabinets.

4:12 PM

He'll take a piece of paper and a pen, which he'll use to write a pretty extended note.

4:13 PM

He'll take the note and the blender and he'll walk outside.

4:13 PM

He'll look at Fritz's house. Are any of the lights on?

The lights are off.

He'll sigh and walk up to Fritz's doorstep. He will place the blender and the note down on it and ring the doorbell, then walk away.

4:19 PM

Dear Fritz Bachman,

I have always been better at writing than at talking. When I talk, some meaning tends to drip out of my words while they hang in the air. I write this letter to you because I have some things I wanted to say that I’m not able to express otherwise.

I’m sorry that I keep failing your expectations. I hope you understand that I’m failing to meet mine too. Every time we meet is hard for me. But every day, I look forward to seeing you at the door. I want to express my appreciation for you… I’m giving you a present. I hope you will enjoy it.

There has been something following me for a long time. For the beginning of my life, it simply hovered over me, watching me. Peering into my life from the cracks, playing tricks with the light. But then it did something to my parents, and it has never calmed down since. It isolated me from everyone I knew. It made everyone in my life miserable, it sucked smiles and joy out of them, leaving only whatever nastiness they were born with. It brings ruin to everyone I know. It rots everything I touch. I have tried to outrun it all my life, but no amount of new beginnings can outpace it. Because it is part of me.

I think I will hurt you, Fritz. I don’t think you can help me more than I can hurt you, even when I’m actively trying to avoid it. Every person I’ve known that is healthy, happy, and successful has turned away from me, abandoned me or fallen down to my level. I don’t know what will happen to you. I think you should stop talking to me. But I hope you don’t.

I hate that I am like this. It evokes a deep bile inside of me. I hate this thing that it has turned me into. I never wanted to be this kind of animal. It just happened to me.

Even before I knew The Fungus, I have used my existence as a weapon against the world as a punishment for what it had done to me. For a long time, I was in a dream where I pretended I didn’t know that. But the dream is over, and I am awake.

There is something happening in this city. It has coiled around me, and it is beginning to swallow me. I can only hope that whatever poison is inside of me infects it too.

Grobber Brentwood.

P.S. If you want to meet tomorrow, we should go to Subway together in the morning.

(edited)

4:20 PM

He'll return to his house.

4:22 PM

He'll browse the web for a bit. Are people talking about the Fungus?

People are still discussing The Fungus, but it almost feels like an excuse to complain about poor people rather than direct animosity towards the Fungus itself.

He'll nod with a satisfied grin on his face.

4:24 PM

He'll smoke some, then boot up Genshin GBJ. What's today's daily?

Today's daily is labelled 'Why are you even still here? Isn't your life enough?'. There are no instructions attached

"Fuck you, asshole! You really think I care!?"

4:30 PM

"Do you think some taunt like that will do anything productive? Do you really think it'll poignantly affect me, or fucking make me. Fucking. Make some fucking life choice!"

4:30 PM

"Suck my fucking dick! You are so pathetic!"

4:30 PM

"Do you really have the time to play these infantile mind games with me! You're such a fucking loser! Imagine dedicating the time to getting in such a slight!"

4:30 PM

He'll turn his monitor off but leave his computer running the game.

4:31 PM

"Nobody gets to decide what is and isn't a valid fucking use of my time but me!"

4:31 PM

"And everything telling me I should stop just makes me want to keep going, you loser."

4:32 PM

"I hope you choke on whatever console or keyboard or text to speech algorithm you're using to write out this taunt. I hope it gives you carpal tunnel."

4:33 PM

"I hope you-you're unrelentingly haunted by the ghosts of your past mistakes!"

4:33 PM

"Go back to whatever hole you came from you botched fucking project!" (edited)

4:34 PM

"You should be tried to a train and vanquished!"

4:34 PM

"I hope you wake up crucified, you fucking doormat!"

4:35 PM

"I hope that you spend the rest of your life trtying to fucking- trying to fucking do this!"

4:35 PM

"I hope you expend all your fucking energy on it!"

4:35 PM

"If you're trying to get me to do something. Fucking make me!"

4:36 PM

He'll turn the lights off and go to bed.

((The chapter ends.))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

7: Associated Gangsters

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber wakes up the next morning.

He wakes up with a bit of a start before wandering to his computer. He'll sigh and get on his phone to talk to the Fungus blackmail people. To those who have responded, he'll reply "You have done well. I have granted you with a blessing: If you approach the homeless and identify yourself as a servant of the Fungus, you may ask for favors. I will send in another task soon."

2:11 PM

He'll rub his eyes before getting a glass of water.

Grace is waking up at this point. She lets out a yawn.

He'll look over to her. "Hey. It's today."

"…Yeah. It is." She got up.

He'll crack his neck a couple times. "You've waited a really long time for this day, it feels like from talking to you. How do you think it'll go?"

"Well, I hope…"

He waits for her to finish her thought if she'd like to do so. While she does that, he anxiously looks out the front windows.

((No she's saying she thinks it will go well, hopefully. It is a complete thought)) (edited)

(Oh I'm an idiot.)

2:43 PM

He looks at her and nods, before doing the preemptive preparations: copying the files, divvying up the evidence, etc.

2:44 PM

"I hope it makes you happy." He bites his lip and coughs to stifle an indecipherable emotion.

"Yeah, I hope so too." She moved to the door. "I've just gotta do something first, okay?"

He nods at her. "Yep! Just, eh... let me know, heheheh..." he swallows.

"Later." She left.

"See-seeya..."

2:49 PM

Hell stand in front of the window, peering between the blinds while sipping his water.

Grace disappears from view eventually.

He'll nod and twiddle his thumbs some. "...come on..."

Eventually Fritz arrives from down the road and approaches his own house.

Grobber will smile to himself and chuckle nervously, walking back to his bedroom

A few moments later, there's a knock on Grobber's door.

He approaches it and opens the door. "Oh, hey, it's... eh... Fritz, Haha... what are the... em... chances, haha..."

"Did you not leave a letter for me? I hardly find the chances of me coming here to be particularly unlikely." It is indeed Fritz.

"Eh... yeah, that was... me, haha... um... you dont have to think about it too much. It wasn't... it wasn't important. But... yeah. Heh... "

"I appreciate the words, truly. Even the blender is a pleasant gift."

His face grows a bit red. "Ehm... dont mention it, haha... its nothing... I'm glad if you liked... or, eh... like. It... yeah. I'm... I'm sorry if it was strange." He gulps.

"Strangeness is a matter of perspective, I find. You can accept many stranger things as normal with the right mindset."

Grobber cocks his head. "Do you, eh, ever feel any emotions besides cheery contentedness? Are you ever surprised?" (edited)

"I try not to be, but yes. I experience various levels of uncertainty throughout my day."

The outsides of Grobbers mouth curl up a bit. "I think surprise and happiness are basically the same thing for me." He swallows.

"Really? I find the notion of being caught off-guard to be rather uncomfortable."

"Why? It kinda feels like you're invincible. Nothing on the planet could hurt you, Fritz, so why be averse to surprises?"

"I’m fairly certain if someone tried to injure me I would be far from invincible. I’m only free from pain where my perspective will allow me to be."

Grobber kicks at the ground. "Fair enough, I guess. If that's how... er... you like to be!" He gets his things together to leave before standing in front of Fritz. "You got anywhere else you wanna go besides Subway?"

"Not really. I’m content to go where you want."

"Nice! We can go to, ehm, Subway, then... haha... If you like.... yeah." He gives Fritz a big grin.

Fritz led the way to subway.

Grobber follows and enters, brushing and rubbing the back of his neck.

5:38 PM

"Hmmm-mweh?" He'll survey the restaurant

It's mostly empty. "What will you order?" Fritz.

"Oh! Eh-oh..." he scratches the back of his head. "Oh no, uh... shit." He starts to look around. "I, I didnt think about it, oh no..."

"Oh, you had no plan? I'm afraid I had no plan either. I was simply going to copy you."

"Oh. Uhh... that's what I was just gonna do." He swallows. "Oh. Oh... eh... what... what do we do? What's it- er- what's the normal thing to get at... Subway?" He looks to the nearest worker. "Ehm. What... what's normal here?"

"I'm afraid I have simply no idea. I don't tend to make my own decisions unprompted, even for something as simple as a sandwich." Fritz. "You're holding up the line." The subway worker, who is somehow also the guy who drove you in an uber once.

"Oh, ehm... oh god! I... I don't..." he looks behind himself. "Sorry, I..." he turns back to the guy. "Uh.. do you have... sandwich?"

"Yes. We are sandwich store." Sandwich guy. "We would like one. One each, in fact." Fritz. "What kind?" Sandwich guy. "I believe this is somewhat up to interpretation." Fritz. "What?" Sandwich guy.

"Yeah! Two sandwiches please. Do you all have... uh. What would you recommend, if you're the connosieur?"

"They're just sandwiches, man. Can you please just... Get this scene over with. Let me disappear again. None of this means anything. Life is a lie." Sandwich guy. "Surely you have a preference though, right? We'll take whatever you prefer." Fritz. "I've never eaten a single meal in my life." Sandwich guy.

"You. Are you making fun of us, man? I! I'm! What the hell!?" He looks behind him "I'm sorry, I'm..." He looks back. "Why are you- what the fuck? You haven't eaten a thing? What's that supposed to mean? What are yo- what are you!" He begins to hyperventilate.

"Oh god. This always happens. Can’t you just make a simple choice and move on?" Sandwich guy. "I believe you’ll find that in life, most choices are naturally made for you." Fritz. "Yes… So just make the choice for me already. That’s literally what I’m asking for." Sandwich guy.

"I! I don't. Are you seriously telling me that you don't eat and you're telling me this..." He starts crying. "That this always happens! I'm... I'm sorry! I dont know! I can't, I... I.... I'm... I can't!" Grobber walks away from the counter and sits down on the curb, trying to wipe his face. (edited)

Fritz followed Grobber and sat with him. "I believe that was a clear demonstration of the failings with the subway franchise."

"No... you-" He shakes his head. "He's right. This always happens to me. I thought bringing you would change it, would somehow... fix whatever problem exists in between me and everyone else. But I'm still stuck going in circles."

"Society is built on the illusion of choice. We all live in a world where individuality does not exist beyond ourselves. If I died, things would proceed as intended. If you died, things would proceed as intended. But this truth hurts many people. They need to feel in control. They need to make choices that govern their life. Whether that be over sandwiches, or anything else. But you and I, we understand that choices have no meaning. Being asked to force them is simply insulting. It's inevitable that you would feel overwhelmed by someone who expects from you what you cannot. This is not your fault."

Grobber looks at Fritz, and he is silent for a moment. "People are so obsessed with the fact that they have the ability to decide for themselves... but nobody does what makes themselves the happiest. I guess I know what you mean, Fritz." He wipes his face off some. "Why do we just walk around pretending? Why do we act as if we are our own masters? We are machines to do one thing, and we just pretend we aren't? Is that the best people can do?"

"Quite the contrary, it's the worst people can do. It's rather simple delusion. No human grows beyond a cog. Once you accept that, you can live a happy life. One where you understand that your actions hold no meaning. People are prone to obsession over their own mistakes... But if they did not make such mistakes, they would not still be the same person. And the person who does not make their future mistakes would not be them. There is meaning in understanding the inevitability of what you have done and what you will do. It allows you to look beyond simple notions of what is right and what is wrong."

"..." Grobber looks at Fritz. "But theres no way out, right? Everybody is so wrapped up in these things, even if they're arbitrary. It's all some game, and if you dont play, everybody hates you. People get insulted when you poke holes in the facade. Everybody likes to believe they have it figured out."

7:31 PM

"So even if you see it's all fake, you still have to play along..."

"I don't worry myself with what people think of me. It's truly as simple as that. There are far too many people out there who'd believe I've failed them. Who would despise me completely, if I were to care about their opinion of me." He stares at the sky for a moment, before letting an uncomfortable amount of regret seep into his voice. "Even you, Grobber. By all accounts, many would say I've failed you."

Grobber shakes his head. "You're still here. That's better than almost everyone else. I'd rather people enable me than abandon me."

7:42 PM

"Nobody should be expected to do everything perfectly. Most people struggle to avoid being a huge asshole. You dont need to feel bad that I'm... that I'm the way I am..."

"As I said, I'm a person who lives without regrets. However, I find it strange that you do not hate me. Or at least resent me in some manner. Did you not ever find it strange that after you lost your parents, you were so utterly alone?"

"...No. Eventually I just figured that was how it was, for me at least. People feel lonely all the time, and I guess I was just supposed to be one of those people."

7:51 PM

"It's not like I expected you to be there... like, nobody else was."

"Well, you see... A lot of people expected me to adopt you in a sense. I was close with your parents after all, so they felt I should be burdened with their child. Of course, you were an adult at this point. I felt you didn't need guidance, nor did the law think you needed it. So I made a choice. One that I now understand was meaningless, but I was not always so confident in myself. This illusion of choice weighed on me, for whatever reason. Of course, I wasn't fit to raise a child. I'm not a man who has ever been prepared for the responsibility of another human being. Even if they were an adult. I could not have helped you. So why did remorse stick with me then? I never understood. I still don't. At this stage, I've adopted a rational perspective beyond the concept of remorse. I won't ever hold these kinds of regrets again. But the question of why it did still plagues me in the first place. I suppose he's not me anymore. Just a Fritz lost to memories and history now. I could override him if I so choose, but... I can't. Do you blame me, Grobber? Do you understand why there existed a Fritz who blamed himself for something like that?"

Grobber shakes his head. "Fritz, you're allowed to feel however you wanna feel, man... nobody is your boss, or anything. It's not worth it to feel bad about feeling bad or whatever... it kinda defeats the whole purpose." He coughs. "I'm... er... sorry if that was too harsh or, uhh..." He coughs again. "You don't have to feel personally culpable, Fritz, like- uhh... You're right, you never could've helped me. And, like.... you never signed up to raise me. It was never your job." He sighs. "I think some things are just sad to watch. I'm one of those things. I don't blame you for letting it make you upset."

He seems confused for a moment. "...Yes. Of course. Thank you. But please, don't go thinking you made me upset. As I said, I've banished my emotions where I will not need them. From now on, let's simply agree to say I never regretted it at all. Our choices can affect this much."

"...Yeah. Least I could do." Grobber hangs his head a little bit.

8:21 PM

He starts chuckling to himself, before his chuckling escalates into full laughter

8:21 PM

"Why did I think Subway would be a good idea... for breakfast?"

"Another mistake to forgive and forget, then. It may as well not have happened to us. That's the choice we make."

"After... this is all over, what's to stop you from deciding that I never existed?"

"Nothing, I suppose. But what's to stop you from doing the same? I don't value my life nearly enough to believe I deserve to hold some kind of legacy in your mind. When I die, I'll be ready to vanish from history altogether."

Grobber shakes his head. "Meh, it doesnt matter. Even if I were to say you didnt exist, that would be a lie. You have changed the trajectory of my existence. That itself is part of your legacy. Even if your name vanishes from history, everything you do will stay."

"I believe you may be overestimating my importance." He looks hurt for some reason. "I live a life of impermanence."

Grobber looks down. "Nothing in this world is impermanent. I've learned the hard way that everything a person does leaves a mark. Things are usually easier to do than undo, if undoing them is even possible."

"I believe you're somewhat misguided, Grobber. You don't do things. Things occur because they do. It is their natural state. You cannot do what will not be done. But undoing the past is a simple matter. We are in charge of ourselves and only ourselves. Our actions have no effect on reality or the future. But the past no longer exists. It is a composite of memories. A composite of what we've decided happened. That is the fraction of reality we have the right to control."

"The power the past holds isn't that its events are ironclad and obvious, but instead that it is what decides the present, y'know? I look around, and like. I observe. Everything that is happening happened because of something else. Like- we can both agree that we never decided to go to Subway. We can pretend we never walked to Subway. But that does not change that we are at Subway right now, and within that lies an immutable fact- somehow, for some reason, we are at Subway. Even if it isnt obvious how or why, there is a how, and there is a why, man. It's like a specter, man, echoing out from when it happened in time. And as our ability to be accurate and precise about the past fades, the specter does too, but that never goes away. There will always be a little bit of it left."

"But what if I don't want it to be that way? What if I choose to believe otherwise? I fail to see what would stop me from deciding my own reality. Nothing stops you from doing the same."

"I can make my reality whatever I want, that's true.... but I've lived in only my own reality for a long time, and the more you warp it for yourself, the less, like, what's the word... compatible, it is, with the reality of others." He sighs. "I've kept my reality to myself for too long. Reality isn't worth it if you can't share it with others. At least, I don't think so." (edited)

"Worth it? How would reality be worth it? It's not a prize, nor is it an objective. It's a simple fact of life. A tool for us all to shape into what we desire."

Grobber leans back and closes his eyes. "I don't know what I desire. I guess I'm more focused on avoiding what makes me miserable."

"I suppose I feel the same. But once I eliminated all of my suffering, my regrets, every shred of remorse... I felt a sense of freedom. Happiness. Like I could do anything, without ever doing anything. That sensation of liberation... It was everything to me. It still is. I succeeded at escaping the very concept of remorse. My pride at achieving that is all the happiness I've ever needed."

He smiles. "For a moment, just hearing you talk... it makes me feel like things could be different. Maybe in another place, at another time..." "I'm happy for you, Fritz."

"I'm glad to make you happy, Grobber." He got up to his feet.

Grobber stands up as well. "Time to head back?"

"Yes, I must confess I'm rather tired. I worked the nighshift last night. I suppose that's what to blame for my perhaps underwhelming composure. When we speak again, I'll do my best not to fall apart so shamefully again." He smiled.

Grobber shrugs. "I don't know what you're talking about, heheh... "

"...Hm. No, I suppose not."

Grobber gives Fritz a warm nod. (End session?)

((End session))

((Saturday))

Fritz headed home.

"Oh wait Fritz I er-"

2:37 PM

Is there a way to catch Fritz as hes leaving or is he gone gone?

He stops, hearing his name. "Yes?"

"Grace and I are going to go investigate this guy. Fredrick Wight. We think he might he involved with crimes. If anything happens... that's where we are."

"Alright."

2:42 PM

"Am I to do anything with this information?"

He shakes his head. "Not unless we eh, go missing, heheh... " he chuckles, then gulps, and his smile fades. "Yeah."

"I see. Very well. Have a good day, Grobber."

"Y-you too, Fritz." He waves Fritz goodbye, before rubbing his neck. "ehhhh..."

2:45 PM

After that, he sighs, then returns home.

Grace isn’t back yet.

Grobber rubs his eyes. He goes to his computer and tries to set up a call between his phone and his computer that will record audio to his desktop computer from his phone. He'll also set his phone to record audio as a backup. (edited)

This happens.

Epic!!!

2:51 PM

After that, he'll text Dana and Ariel 'Going to talk to Fredrick Wight about the crimes. Someone Grace is interested in. Will wire back later.'

I see. Sean Niebel was a dead end. Nearly shot me. I don’t have any more information for you at this point, aside from that Carolyn might be connected to Johnner. And her client beat someone up with a chair? That part might be bullshit. Let me know who Fredrick Wight is when you’re done.

Dana replies.

He nods to himself, smiling. He'll crack his neck and start pacing around his room. "What else... what else..."

3:14 PM

"...Hrmph."

3:17 PM

He swallows, then goes to get his magic funny bong. He'll take 3 hits.

Grobber feels his body become more elastic. No clear effect. No clear effect.

Become more... elastic? Like he can stretch his skin?

No.

3:23 PM

It’s just a vague feeling.

He tries to like. Punch himself. Does it still hurt?

It does not.

"L-let's f-fucking go!!" He says. He'll look at himself in the mirror. Are their other changes?

None.

Hmmm... Fair enough.

3:41 PM

He'll pace around a little bit.

3:41 PM

"What else... what else..."

3:44 PM

He'll chew on his inner lip a bit before tentatively sitting down and playing some genshin GBJ (edited)

What time is it?

It’s around noon at this point.

He'll bit his lip and sigh. "grace..."

4:21 PM

He'll text Grace "Everything okay?"

'Yeah. Just give me a second.'

'Okay'

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grace returned.

"Oh! Ehm... hi, heheh..."

"Hey…" She looks distracted.

"...Did something bad happen? I thought you wanted to go earlier..."

"No, the opposite. I didn’t manage to do what I wanted."

"Oh. ehm... sorry... hopefully it's not necessary for what we're doing..."

"No, I just wanted to go see my sister… I couldn’t get myself to go in."

"...Oh. I'm sorry."

12:15 PM

"Do you at least know... if she's doing okay?"

"She’s in a coma. There’s not really any news."

"Oh no..." Grobber sighs. "That's... terrible." (edited)

"Oh… Did I not tell you?"

"You didn't. It-it's okay, though..."

"…Yeah. Anyway, are you ready?"

"Yeah." He quickly pats himself down. "Let's go."

"So what’s the plan?"

"Well, the two of us go to his apartment, and, er... you confront him with the evidence. Like you wanted."

"That’s it? Okay." She went outside.

He follows her.

She went to the bus stop.

He'll follow her. "...You excited?"

"I feel… Weird. Like some part of me's about to end. I’m not really sure if that’s good."

"Yeah, that makes sense, I guess... like that wily coyote skit where he finally gets the roadrunner." He sighs. "...At the very least, you won't have to keep worrying about what comes next."

"…Yeah. I won’t let him ruin my life anymore."

He nods to himself. "Y-yeah..."

12:44 PM

"And the money thing... jesus."

"Yeah, that too."

12:48 PM

The bus arrives.

Grobber gets on. "...Something about this needs to work. I'm... I've got nothing now..." He starts to fidget with his fingers.

Grace gets on. "Yeah. We'll make it work."

Grobber looks at her. "Okay... I trust you."

"…" She doesn’t look back at him.

The edges of his mouth attempt to climb up, but they falter and fall down to their original position.

The bus arrived at their stop.

He'll wait for her to get off. "You're in charge from this point."

"…I’m not sure I can handle that." She gets off the bus.

"We're doing this your way... your home turf... your rules."

1:02 PM

"If it were up to me, we would've just gone to the cops."

She walked up to the apartment building. "Yeah, yeah… Okay."

He follows her.

She went in, and walked up to the receptionist. "We’re here to talk to Mr. Wight."

Grobber begins to tap his foot on the ground.

1:07 PM

"Y-yeah... I'm with h-" He stops. "Me too, I'm with her."

"He’s not in right now." The receptionist. "What?" Grace. "He’s at work. You missed him." The receptionist.

"Oh, haha... damn... that's too bad..." His foot slows its bouncing.

"…Okay, then… Let’s just get him at work." Grace turns around to Grobber.

Grobber swallows. "Oh... um... do you think that's a good... idea?"

"Why not?"

"..."

1:16 PM

"Y-yeah, sure... let's, ahem... get him at work."

She hurried out of the apartment.

He follows her.

She rushed down the street and headed toward the Free News Network building.

"Oh, shit- it's right here! Sh-shit...!" He grabs his bag and chases after her.

She goes right inside. "I need to see Mr. Wight."

He's fidgeting with his hands now as he bounces his leg. "Y-y-yeah.. .hehehhh.... me tooo,,,,"

"Who are you?" Employee. "Just… A visitor." Grace. "Then no. He doesn’t take visitors during work hours." Employee.

He swallows. "Oh.... that's. Damn! We gave it a good try! H-hahahahaha...." (edited)

Grace took a deep breath. "I’m… I'm his daughter. Grace Wight." "…Okay." The employee doesn’t seem to care. "He doesn’t have an appointment with you."

"How terrible! We-we'lll have to go back and come back later!!!" His voice becomes more frantic.

"But… I’m his daughter! He probably knows I’m coming! He just didn’t write it down! Tell him, and he’ll let me in! Trust me, he’s obsessed with me! He ruined my life! If you… If you tell him, he’ll let me in! Doesn’t me admitting this mean something?" Grace. "I can’t just go bother him without an appointment." The employee.

Grobber begins to let out a squeal akin to a car slowly grinding to life.

Grace frantically turns to Grobber. "We need to get in there. Do you have any of those weird powers?"

The squeal lowers in intensity to a creak, before Grobber eeks out some words. "I-I think if someone wanted to punch me really hard... it wouldn't hurt... ehhh...."

"That’s it?"

He nods at her.

"Can’t you like… Do more?"

"No!!! I can only get one a day!"

"Ugh!" She grabs him by the arm. "It’ll have to do!" She tries to run through with him.

He runs with her.

The employee calls for security as Grace dashed up the staircase. "This… May have been incredibly stupid."

Grobber is back to squealing again.

They arrived on the 4th floor. "It’s okay, I know where his office is. I know the layout of this place like the back of my hand."

"Okay. Great. Nice. We're dodging security! They know where we're going, haha! Awesome! Great!"

1:58 PM

He keeps running with her.

A large man in a suit stopped them. "Sorry, you can’t be here." "Grobber, do something." Grace.

"Wh-why can't I b-be here?... h-heh."

"It’s off limits to non-employees. Please go back from where you came." Security guard.

Grobber looks over at Grace. "A-are we in the right place? Maybe w-we could check to see... where your dad is... at some other point?"

"But… I don’t want to do it on his terms! He’s right there, and we still can’t see him?"

"It- it kind of feels like literally the worst possible time to do this!"

"But…" Grace.

He looks at the security guard. "Is it like. A really big deal? A-are we tresspassing, or something, right now?"

"Yes." The security guard.

Grobber goes like

2:27 PM

"This is like- I think this is some big understanding... this is Fredick Wight's daughter."

"Is she allowed to be here? I didn’t get that memo." Security guard.

"I'm just a friend, man, I was under the perception, that, like-" He looks at Grace.

"Yes. Of course we’re allowed. They already let us in." Grace.

2:36 PM

"Right, Grobber?" Grace.

Grobber looks behind him. Are people still chasing?

Doesn't seem like they've caught up yet.

He looks at the security guard. "I'm confused. Do you think we just fought our way here?"

"Yes." The security guard.

"...Don't you have better things to do than to be accosting employee's children? I'm pretty sure I saw people downstairs freaking out."

"Yeah!" Grace. The security guard reluctantly lets them past.

After they leave earshot, he says "We should walk."

"Yeah." Grace walks to the office labelled Fredrick Wight.

He follows her.

She stops in front of it and doesn't open the door.

"...Is he not here?"

"Of course he is, it's just... I can't do it."

"..."

3:02 PM

"Okay."

3:02 PM

Grobber walks to the door and opens it, legs bouncing, arms shaking.

Fredrick Wight is in the office. "...Huh? Do I got an appointment right now?"

Grobber kind of just gestures to Grace.

"Yeah... It's been booked for a few years now. Our reunion." Grace. "Am I supposed to recognize you right now? Whatever lawsuit you wanna file, you can drop it off in my lawyer's trash can." Fredrick.

"...I'm a friend. He-heheh... Hnrgnnn...."

"You don't... Recognize me?" Grace. "Hey, it's nothing personal. But in the business of truth and knowledge, you make a lot of enemies y'know? It's a game of appearances, can't go letting my enemies have a platform even in my memories. Showbiz, y'know?" Fredrick. "Ah- You- Wh-" Grace. "What, you need a dictionary? I thought when my daughter grew up I wouldn't have to listen to babyspeak. Hahaha..." Fredrick. (edited)

"...So you do recognize her...?"

"Huh? Not really." Fredrick. "He's... He's talking about my sister." Grace. "Like I don't even exist." Fredrick's expression gets serious. "Huh? You mean you're...?" "Grace! The daughter you hate so much! I'm here for my revenge!" Grace. "Huh. How about that?" Fredrick smiles a little, amused.

"..." Grobber looks at Grace. "So you... haven't seen him in years? You made it sound like you fought every day..."

"She's one of those kids, y'know? Always needs to be such a rebel. Oh no, I hate daddy so much! This is my entire personality now! I mean, Sophie had the common sense to be subtle about it, y'know? No love there, but she could last 5 minutes without making it everyone's problem. But her? Oh my god, if the whole city wasn't reminded every night of how angsty my teenager was. Got to the point where she would just run off to get away from me. Eventually you just give up, y'know? This kids doomed. She wants to leave, that's her problem. Some days in fishing you just gotta catch and release. She can be someone else's whiny little baby. Or yours, right now, seems like?" Fredrick. "I... No, that's not true- I'm not... HE hated me! He ruined my life! He watched me for years, tormenting me! He killed my gi- He killed Michelle!" Grace. "Grobber, tell him he killed Michelle! You can prove it!" "Sheesh, is this what you deal with? Sorry about that. I can pay you back in babysitting services, I guess? Don't exactly want you bringing this up to some other news station. Bad look for me to be related to that." Fredrick. Grace buries her head in her hands and starts crying.

Grobber looks at Grace, and his fidgeting and bouncing comes to a stop. He takes a moment to compose himself. "...Well, Fredrick, Grace brought me here to do something, and I hope you can respect that I'll see it through." He digs through his backpack to receive the photos of evidence. "She brought me to be here with her when she showed you this. She believes that you are responsible for the death of an associate of hers, and she seems to have come into the ownership of some evidence she believes is compelling."

"Death of an- Oh, come on! Are you jerkin' my chain right now? I’ve done a lot of wrong as a soulless political shill, but murder? I’ve got nothing to gain!" Fredrick. "You were getting revenge! On me! For robbing you of the daughter you loved, you took away the woman I loved! And- And that’s not all, you’ve ruined every other part of my life! Turned it into a living hell! Because you despised me that much!" Grace. "I! Don’t! Despise! You! You wanted freedom, I gave you freedom! Why’re you blowing this back on me?" He turned to Grobber, exasperated. "Seriously, how do you put it up with this?" "Stop ignoring me!" Grace.

He looks back at Grace, then at Fredrick. "...So you're Fredrick Wight... father of Sophie Wight, correct?"

"Wouldn’t call it my number 1 achievement, but yes. That’s me." Fredrick. "Show him the proof! Show him that we’re sending him to prison for the rest of his life!" Grace. "Oh, is that what this is? Are you… Oh my god… This isn’t about done dead friend, or ruined life! Are you so desperate for me to care about you that you'll throw me in jail? Think I’m gonna remember you then? Jesus fucking- This is pathetic! You can’t frame me because of your stupid childish insecurities!" Fredrick looks nervous now.

Grobber presents Fredrick the photos of him edited with the Marco, Michelle, and with evidence from the crime scene. "Here it is."

"Come on! This isn't funny! You know I'm innocent! Deep down, I know you do! Do you even give a shit about the actual murder? Or do you just want revenge on the man who dared to let you be free! Let go of the past, and chase someone else's approval! You can't do this to me! A little photoshop job, and now the killer's gonna get away completely free! Can you accept that, you psycho?" He reaching under his desk. "Shut up! I know you're guilty! Your lies fall on deaf ears! You'll be going away for a long time! Then we can talk about letting go of the past!" Grace.

"Now calm down Fredrick, I'm sure we can all figure this out. Grace was very close to the person that was killed, this is no idle accusation for her."

"Oh come on, you must see what she's doing! For her own good, don't you want to stop her from making these false accusations?" Fredrick. "Your lies won't bring you any further, dad." Grace. "I'm not lying, you bitch! What do you want from me? This blackmail you're throwing at me, what's the goal? Want me to say I love you? Want me to pretend to care? Come on, I'm open to all the possibilities here! What does it take for you to drop this?" Fredrick. "I won't stop until you're in prison. That's all I need." Grace. "Be serious!" Fredrick.

"...Fredrick, what exactly do you want to come out of this situation?"

"Not much. I think everyone in here already has all they need from each other. But I guess some spoiled brats just never grow up!" Fredrick. "Yeah, you!" Grace. "That was a weak comeback!" Fredrick.

"..." Grobber sighs. "...Well I suppose we're at a standstill."

"Come on, Grobber. We got what we needed from him. Let’s go to the police and ruin his life." Grace.

Grobber stands up and waits at the door. He'll wait for Fredrick to say something before he leaves.

"Wait!" Fredrick gets down on his knees and begs. "I wasn’t the father you wanted! I wasn’t a father anyone would want. You want me to apologize, then I’m sorry! If I really did ruin your life by raising you like this, then I’m sorry! But I let you be free! I let you live the life you wanted when you left! That’s what I see as happiness! But locking me away's not gonna fix any of the pain you feel inside! You want me to pay attention to you, you think that’s what I’ll do behind bars? Come on… Just drop this! Drop this and we can be whatever kind of family you want!" "…" Grace stares at him, no tears coming to her eyes.

Grobber looks at Grace.

Grace looks back at Grobber. "You agree he’s guilty… Right?"

Grobber looks at Grace. "I'm just here as a witness. This is your deal, man."

"Is that… A no?"

Grobber sighs. "This is your justice. Your life. Your journey. It was your decision to not tell me any of the reasons why this is the guy. I'm okay with that decision. But I can't be the judge or jury. All I can do is help you."

"…" Grace sits down on the floor. "Is that… A good sign?" Fredrick.

"Fredrick, do the names Gus Amon, Carolyn Blythe, Sean Niebel, or Jeff Johnner mean anything to you?"

"…No? Well, uh… Niebel was in the news. I did cover him. But so did everyone!" Fredrick. "And Michelle?" Grace. "Don’t know any! Swear on my mother’s grave, here!" Fredrick. "Swear on your own!" Grace. "I don’t have a grave!" Fredrick.

Grobber rubs his temples.

"I meant- Whatever… Do you… Seriously not know anything? Not… A single thing? We come out all the way here, and you don’t have a single thing to add?" Grace. "Hey, I’m a busy guy! I don’t have time to get involved in whatever your deal is! Don’t take that out on me!" Fredrick.

Grobber looks at Grace. "Is there anything I can do?"

"I… I don’t know… This isn’t how it was supposed to go. Why isn’t this the end of the story? It all lead here." Grace. "Guess the lesson here is… Not everything’s about you, huh?" Fredrick got back on his chair.

"Hey. There's always something else to do. There's always tomorrow."

"But what’s the point? I don’t… I don’t feel complete. I’m tired of days where nothing happens. And after all of this effort, none of it meant anything?" Grace. "Welcome to the real world." Fredrick.

"If you're stuck in heaven, even it begins to feel like hell. People seek out pleasure, joy, we're attracted to the light, like flies. But it's bad for us. I lived with no material restrictions for years, and it destroyed me. In reality, people can only find meaning in suffering. We repel what we need because our brains can't understand it. But it sneaks in anyway. In our television and movies, we subject ourselves to watching people suffer because without it, we starve. Brilliant people, geniuses, savants... they are always the most troubled. If all your dreams came true, it would only make you more miserable. You have at your fingertips what you always wanted... what are you going to do?"

5:20 PM

"Are you going to tie up your loose ends and seek the light? Or are you going to spread darkness? I can't choose for you." (edited)

"…Why couldn’t it have been this simple?" Grace.

"..." Grobber offers a hand to pull Grace up.

She took it. "…" Several rapid footsteps can be heard outside in the hall.

Grobber smiles. "Well, I suppose it's time for us to take our leave."

"…Yeah." Grace. "We should hu-" Several police officers enter with their weapons out. "You’re both under arrest." Fredrick naturally raises his arms in the air defensively.

Grobber calmly raises his hands in the air, saying nothing.

Grace doesn’t raise hers. "Put your hands in the air." Officer. "Relax, officers. She’s fine. Just my daughter, visiting." Fredrick. "And the other guy?" Officer. "Yes, he’s the criminal here." Fredrick.

Grobber looks to Grace.

Grace just looks confused. An officer approaches Grobber with handcuffs.

Grobber allows the officer to handcuff him if they want. (edited)

Grobber is handcuffed. "Really nothing personal." Fredrick. "I’ll… I’ll get you a good lawyer, okay!?" Grace.

"Hm? I didn't commit any crime. They're gonna let me go when I get back to the station. Grace, you are a welcome visitor to Fredrick, and Grace brought me along with her to visit her father. Fredrick just said the former, and the latter is obvious. This is all a big misunderstanding."

5:45 PM

"Complying with the police is the fastest way to get home."

"Right. Yeah, of course." Grace nods. Fredrick shrugs. The officers drag him out of the building.

Grobber will silently walk with them.

They put Grobber in the back of a police car, and drive towards the station.

anything else notable happen?

5:53 PM

while that's happening i mean

5:53 PM

If not then he will just kind of look out the window at the passing buildings.

Nothing happens. They arrive at the police station and place Grobber in a holding cell. ((End session sorry))

Epic!

((Saturday))

Grobber is in a police holding cell.

He looks around. Is there any police around?

There’s a few.

He leans his head back. "Aughhhh.... bored! Bored bored bored!"

They do not react.

Is there a bathroom in the cell?

No.

"Hey, is there a policy on the bathroom here? Is there one I can use?"

"You won’t be coming close to the bathroom again, Mr. Brentwood." The detective from 2 days ago approaches the cell.

"Ah, hey! Great! A friend. You know-" He looks quickly from side to side. "The people that picked me up never told me my Miranda Rights. I've been very concerned this entire time."

She perfectly recites the Miranda rights from memory somehow. "Does that satisfy you, criminal?"

He scratches the back of his head. "Not really. I still haven't been told what I've been arrested for."

2:41 PM

"...I am under arrest, I think?"

"You’ve been arrested for trespassing, a fact you are perfectly aware of. Don’t insult this great police force by feigning ignorance."

"Oh really, that?" He rears up and laughs. "Fantastic, I thought it was going to be some other ridiculous charge." He sighs. "Well, fantastic, with a smart girl like you around, we can get this untangled very quick. I apologize for the time of the police being wasted."

"Do you think your act is convincing?" She steps directly in front of him, as close as she can to the bars. Her face continues to maintain a neutral composure. "Many criminals have assumed they would go free with a simple naive attitude. It did not save them, and it will not save you. The police force is more intelligent than you. It is more resourceful than you. And it will beat you."

Grobber gives a ;/ face. "...Do you treat every suspect that comes in here this way? Hmm... alright. I'm going to give you a tip. If you want people to stop storming this compound, you could probably get a lot of the way there by stop treating every suspect like a criminal immediately." He gives her a smile. "Personally, I think we both want the same thing here, Miss, ermm... what's your name?" (edited)

"Detective Jessica James. And I want nothing of the sort."

"Jessica James... oh! Do you happen to know a Gus Amon? From what I've heard, he was a former police detective who's now been wrapped up in some bad business... truly a shame. But I haven't seen that in the media at all- you all must be doing a good job of keeping it under wraps." He tilts his head in a performatively concerned gesture. "Although I'm not sure how good I feel about the police force doing such subterfuge... oh well. It's an issue we'll be able to unravel together, Miss James."

"Of course." She shook her head in disgust. "Common criminals, believing the police are what is rotten with this world. If you truly believe the police buried such a story, how would you attempt to rectify this? By spreading more crime? Anarchy in the streets? You’re a disgraceful coward. We can only fix such problems by facing the system from within. Revolutions like the fungus are no solution. Simply the tantrum of a child with no regard for anyone."

He pays no mind to her comment about the fungus. "Hmmm? I would attempt to rectify it by making a public statement, or, at the very least, attempting to launch an official investigation into the affairs of Gus Amon before his unfortunate passing. It is left as a disgrace currently- all he did, and nobody to clean it up."

3:04 PM

He chuckles a bit. "It is quite spectacular that this much has managed to happen under your noses."

She grabs him by the collar and pulls him toward her, hitting him against the metal bars. "Don’t assume you understand our actions in the slightest. Criminals like you have no room to look down on the police. Your pretentious critiques of a system you do not understand are simply failed attempts to justify your own criminal actions." (edited)

He chuckles a bit. "Heheh. wow..." He gives her a look. "You know, I would have thought you would have bought me dinner first." He cracks his fingers. "Well, for your information, I happen to know that one Sean Niebel has been at the receiving end of this conspiracy wrought by Amon. I'd recommend you give him a shout. Ah, see? We're both helping each other already. I'm helping you do your job, and you're helping me by taking care of the darkness within this city. We're off to a very good start, we are!"

She pushed him back. "Officer, bring him to the interrogation room." "But it’s not his-" The officer. "Push it ahead! He needs to be taught a lesson." Detective James.

Grobber prepares himself to poop and pee relatively soon. He laughs. "Are you telling me none of this was already on the record?" He sighs. "Well, a change of scenery would be nice."

The officer brings him to the interrogation room.

He waits for Jessica.

She sits across from him and stares intently at him.

He looks up from the table, and then leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. He'll still wear a bored expression.

"Grobber Brentwood, are you aware of why you’re in this room right now?"

"... hmm..." He sighs.

3:32 PM

He'll give her a faint nod.

"Say it."

His smile turns into a frown. "You know, Miss James, I was more than willing to be friends with you, but, after you decided to move me around, and I got some blood pumping out of my legs, I've started to ask myself why you're being so unpleasant to me... It troubles me."

"That’s Detective James to you, scum."

"..." He sighs.

3:40 PM

He leans forward in his chair and begins to twiddle his thumbs.

"Grobber Brentwood, we brought you here for illegally trespassing in the free news network headquarters. Do you deny this charge?"

He slowly nods up and down.

"Why?"

He tilts his head. "Isn't it your job to demonstrate that I did it? The reason I deny trespassing is because I didn't trespass."

"Several people there testify that you illegally trespassed into the building. Are you calling the honest and innocent workers of free new network liars?"

He thinks to himself. "No, I believe there was a misunderstanding. I entered the building with one Grace Rollins- the daughter of the man we were visiting. We were allowed to be there, she wasn't arrested, of course. She had requested I come along with her, so I did."

"You’re referring to Grace Wight?"

He nods.

"She is one of the people who’s testified against you." A slight smirk slipped past her neutral mask.

He shrugs. "...Miss Jones. I'd implore you to use your head for a moment. What reason do I have to go to Free News Network? The man we were visiting was her father. The two of them had a conversation, that, despite their repeated attempts, I largely was not involved in. I am aware of where Fredrick Wight lives- we were planning to visit him at his apartment. But, when we found him absent, Grace led me to his workplace. She told me we were strictly allowed there, a fact which should be plainly obvious to you. Why would I risk a misdemeanor charge when I could've just waited?"

4:09 PM

He sighs.

4:10 PM

"Even if I wasn't allowed to be at Free News Network, I was still told I was. I, of course, truly believed Grace when she told me we were both permitted to be there."

4:11 PM

"How could I have known the ferocity of the argument that would transpire between Grace and her father? I believe it was that conflict that led to my arrest."

4:12 PM

"There were some low-level privately employed security that attempted to accost us, but they all seemed confused. Many of them, upon learning that Grace was Fredrick's daughter and that we were allowed to be there, simply let us pass."

4:14 PM

"...And, of course, unless Grace is arrested, I think it is ultimately obvious no crime has been committed. I was simply accompanying her. I think, as a result of their argument, her father felt the need to see me, her supporter, indicted."

"Criminals like you just think they can get away with anything, don’t you? Where does your false courage stem from? What allows you to spill lie after lie and feel no guilt. Are you simply inhuman?"

"...Jessica, if you believe I've said something inaccurate, could you clarify for me? Frankly, if you were really as against criminals as you said you were, you would be even more eager than me to get to the bottom of this. It seems to be like you just enjoy saying that you've won."

4:17 PM

"You seem to be desperate for some reassurance. Is everything okay, Jessica? If you're feeling uncomfortable about anything, I'm certain I could untangle it for you." (edited)

"You want to play it this way, you scum? The trespassing charge is just the premise." She takes out a large folder labelled 'the fungus'. "I know it was you."

"Hm?" He leans back in his chair and sighs. "...To bring a flagrantly innocent person in on trumped-up charges so that you can induce testimony about something completely unrelated..." He brushes the side of his face and sighs. (edited)

4:24 PM

"...I'm telling you, Jessica. You're only getting meaner and meaner. What reason do I have to discuss this whole Fungus business with you when you're being so unpleasant?"

"Don’t infantilise me. …When he broke into this police department, The Fungus slipped away into a bathroom. Then he never came out. I’m sure you’re well aware of who did come out, Grobber Brentwood."

"Hmmm?" He scratches his head. "...You know, I'm no expert, but I feel like there were other ways out of that bathroom..."

4:27 PM

"And you're talking about the Fungus like he's one man! Obviously, The Fungus is many people. Even now, I imagine that you're getting reports of activities that this fungus group is suspected of. I'm in Jail." He raises his hands, presumably handcuffed. "See?"

"The fungus has a leader. That’s the fungus. A.k.a. you. His crew of homeless men would be fungi. Plural."

"...So you think this leader... was there at the time of the incident at this police station? I think it's pretty clear that this fungus can act remotely. If they can do that, why be here at the police station?"

"He was caught on camera, leading them in. I find the truth quite obvious. You needed something from that file room you broke into. Something you couldn’t trust homeless strangers to take for you. You see, Mr. Brentwood, that’s the disadvantage of working with hobos instead of trained cops. They’re criminals, out on the street because no one wants them anyway. You can’t trust them at all."

He shrugs. "Well, that's very interesting, Jessica. You must be a big fan of detective games. You seem to be excellent at that loosey-goosey, sensationalist kind of logic." He sighs. "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"Do you think you’re better than me?"

He leans forward. "I am a lonely, selfish drifter. I'm lazy. I'll never really amount to anything, to be honest. Any project I've ever undertaken, even anything as easy as becoming especially good at a video game, I have given up on. My interpersonal relationships are all crumbling or destroyed. I am cursed to only get along with people as dysfunctional as me." "...But I think we're all kinda just monkeys, to be honest. Do you think a monkey that bashes another to death is evil? Do you think the one that runs out of food and starves is lazy? Of course not. They just do what they can. They're monkeys. Humans are the same. I'm not gonna hold myself so accountable. I'm a product of my environment, same as you."

4:45 PM

"... I do wish you'd stop being mean to me though. I feel like I've been collaborative enough with you." (edited)

"Just a product of your environment? So you’re blameless if you hurt someone? Attacking innocent people for supporting the president, your environment forced you to do that? And breaking into a police station, impeding the hardworking officers who risk their lives every day to keep you safe- That was your environment? Do you really expect me to sympathize with you? Don’t lie to yourself. All criminals are the same. From jaywalkers to murderers, you’re all scum who abuse the law and think they can get away with it. There are plenty of normal law-abiding citizens who’ve had painful lives, and they manage it just fine! You’re no product of your environment. You’re just scum. If I’d have lived your life, it would have been a happy one."

He shrugs. "So am I... under arrest, for being The Fungus? Or did you just want to gloat? Unless you have something to make your evidence stick, why confess to the prime suspect that they're under suspicion?"

"You’re under arrest, yes. This is the end of the fungus."

"...Under what evidence?" His expression becomes more serious.

"As I was explaining, the fungus vanished into a bathroom. And yet only you came out."

"Mhm, and as I was explaining, there were ways out of that bathroom. There was a vent out, and a window. It's not like this place is maximum-security. Along with that, how can you strictly prove the one person that went into the bathroom was the ringleader?"

"The vents were filled with dust. Unused. And there were no windows, no."

He shrugs his shoulders again. "...And a... lack of dust qualifies as legally admissible evidence?"

"Did you climb through those vents at all, Mr. Brentwood?"

"No. I hid in the bathroom because I was scared. Why the hell would I use a vent?"

She smiles. "And yet, the camera clearly shows that no Grobber Brentwood, or any other person than the fungus for that matter, used the bathroom's door. That’s a little strange, don’t you think?"

Grobber thinks. "Hmph. I doubt that's the case, because I definitely entered the bathroom. If you have this camera footage, could you show it to me? I might be able to clear it up."

"Do you really think you’re in any position to ask for that?"

"Well, here's the problem, Jessica. I've heard of an investigation technique where the officer of the law will claim of false evidence, such as, hmm..." He thinks for a moment. "Security tapes, for instance, in order to get a confession. Think about my position. I know I entered the bathroom that day, and while I have no reason to doubt your character, these other naughty detectives have given me reason to doubt you. I would've imagined, in order to immediately demonstrate the veracity of your evidence, you would have shown me this footage."

6:02 PM

"We're on the same team here, Jessica."

"Don’t insult me by acting like we’re allies. We’re nothing alike in any way. You’re clearly not a man who lives by any kind of code. The law is meaningless in the eyes of a manchild like you."

Grobber slams his fist on the table. "You do not know what drives me, whore of the state! I live by rules- just not the ones that are prescribed to me by you and your kind."

"Me and my kind? You mean the good, honest citizens of this country!? Or do you look upon all those better than you as 'whores'?"

"I mean pigs. Oink. Oink."

"Of course, 'pigs'. The ad hominem prescribed to us by filthy criminals unready to process their guilt. We live in a democracy. A ruling of the people. Decisions made by all people for all people. Do you think only the police vote? Do you believe laws were only designed by us? No, this country obeys the whims of its people. It’s only the unjust, hobos and rich fuckups, you’re the ones who disregard the voice of the people and hide behind your criminally manufactured consensus. If the prevailing opinion were that this country were wrong, don’t you believe the people would have changed it? Overthrown it, if it came to such a drastic dystopia? Or if you acknowledge that the public disagrees with you, do you believe that your opinion is worth more than all other people combined? The vocal minority matters not in the face of the rational majority. That’s the meaning of the law."

"That's bold talk- gloating about how contented and happy the populace is after having been the victim of a storming of the disenfranchised." He sighs, returning to his slouched posture. "...Do you truly believe that if 51 percent of the population of this city was happy, it would be worth the suffering of the remaining 49 percent?"

"If such a split would truly happen, are you saying you’d throw away the happiness of the 51 percent just to make the 49 others happy? What gives the 49% the right to decide for more people than they contain? Someone will always be unhappy, and I’m sure you’ll find that that minority is filled with nothing but criminals and harms to society. Those people don’t deserve happiness. The needs of the many come before the needs of the criminal few. That’s the way of democracy."

"You act as though the suffering of the disenfranchised is justified because they are criminals and thieves. Does it never cross your mind why there are so many criminals among the disenfranchised? Do you truly never wonder that perhaps people turn to crime because of their misfortune- which hurts everyone? That perhaps the core issue is not the humans that occupy the ivory tower and the depths below, but instead that the dichotomy exists in the first place? This city's got more people than beds, which means that whether it be a city of devils or angels, somebody has to sleep on the street." He leans back again. "But of course you don't care. Look at you. You get off on this. You need to be able to spit at the lower classes or you'd drink bleach. Well I'm sorry, Jessica. But I'm just a normal guy. I dont really have anything personal against society, in fact, I feel I'm pretty lucky. You're preaching to the choir here, bestie."

"Fuck. You." She got up. "Don’t ever presume you know me."

Grobber attempts to shit himself.

This. Happens?

He looks down. "I've been prevented from using the bathroom, and I've..."

6:55 PM

He sighs.

6:55 PM

"You all really have to get your act in order."

She drags him back to the holding cell without a word.

He'll piss himself while that's happening

6:59 PM

"Am I still charged with trespassing?" He'll call to nobody in particular. "When is my hearing?"

No one answers.

He'll smile to himself.

"Dont I get a phone call? What if my plants die?"

An officer tries to answer, but is cut off by a single glare from detective James. No one responds to Grobber at all for several hours.

He'll continue to make increasingly pleading requests for reasonable things, even though he doesnt need them."

When enough time passes, officers finally approach the cell.

"Hello? Is that... is that my savior?"

"You’re being moved to the prison nearby. This place isn’t high security enough for someone like the fungus."

"As long as I am free of that... that woman!"

They drag him out of the building.

Hell be compliant

They bring him into a prison transport vehicle, and get inside as well.

"Oh! Wow, I'm surprised... I'm not this important, everyone..."

The vehicle drives off.

"Are you all okay if I use the bathroom more in the car, or should I wait until we get to the prison?"

"Wait until the prison."

He nods.

7:25 PM

"Oh, man... prison... I always thought I'd be more scared."

"Are you not scared?"

He shrugs. "I'm not pleased. But to be honest, I cant help but be a little excited."

7:27 PM

"It feels like I'm going where I belong, even though I'm completely innocent."

7:27 PM

"Some structure might be nice."

"All criminals want is structure."

Grobber crosses his arms and laughs. "Rich, coming from the person who signed up for a job with a uniform."

"You’re not the first to compare the police force to criminals. Some working here would even agree with you on that. But acting like this with Jessica was always going to go badly."

He shrugs his shoulders. "I'm okay with bad things happening to me. That's the only thing making me stronger than everyone else."

"…"

7:35 PM

They arrived.

Awesome

They bring him inside. After a complicated process that doesn’t really bare too much explaining, Grobber is left alone in a cell. The place has room for a cellmate, but currently has none. Grobber is wearing a prison uniform now and it’s late.

Okay cool. Did they take away my phone in this process?

7:41 PM

I assume they did

They did.

Okay. that's fine then.

. That's where the recording he was taking ends then lol.

7:43 PM

So he's alone?

He is alone.

"OH MY GOD!!! HOLY SHIT!!! GOD- GODDAMMIT!!! He wails to himself.

7:44 PM

He pounds on the walls. "OH MY GOD! THIS CANT BE HAPPENING! HOW! HOW! WHAT DID I DOOOOO!?!?!? WHAT DID I FUCKING DO!?"

7:44 PM

"WHY!?!?!??" (edited)

7:46 PM

"Holy fuck! How! How!"

7:49 PM

"Oh my GOD! OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!"

7:49 PM

"All my friends, all my people..."

7:49 PM

He'll hyperventilate and sink into the corner.

7:51 PM

He'll continue to let out these unfocused wails for a couple hours.

7:51 PM

If nothing else happens, he'll go to sleep in the corner.

Grobber is woken up close to midnight, by the sound of several strangers in his cell. "Rise and shine!" A blond man. "You must be The Fungus, TF."

"Wh- wuzzat? What... the fuck? W-who the hell are you?"

All of them are wearing prisoner uniforms. "My name is Ideology Overdrive! IO! And I am, in essence, the king of this prison! Haha-Ha!" The blond man. ((End session))

7:56 PM

((Oh wait no that’s just straight up the end of the chapter))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

8: Abrupt Gearshift

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

"My name is Ideology Overdrive! IO! And I am, in essence, the king of this prison! Haha-Ha!" IO. There are 3 of them.

"Wh-why are you h-here...?" He deliriously rolls over.

"How could I waste this opportunity to to me such a faaaamous criminal! While IO rests for now, TF conquers the fears and hearts of the world!" IO. "I'm just here because he is." The big man holds out a hand for a handshake. He looks like this.

2:35 PM

This girl suddenly moves ahead of the group and grabs onto Grobber, staring him straight in the eyes. "My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. It's nice to meet you." She speaks in an uncomfortably monotone voice.

His eyes have dark curtains hanging under them, and he extends a pallid hand to the big man. "Wh- whm?" He shakes his head. "I'm... i'm sorry... I'm... going through..." His voice is even more shaky than usual. "Withdrawl. I'm... how did you get here?"

"Bribery!" IO.

Even under the shuddering, a corner of Grobber's mouth lifts. It's nice to know some things never change. "I'm... not in best of states... but do people know about... The Fungus? Here?"

"SM has a deal where they get the daily newspaper, and they tell me everything! That's the kind of friendship we have!" IO. Kyoko stares into Grobber's eyes. "People tell me things."

"Well that's great! Hahaha..." But he deflates a little. "I was so close... but it's over now..." He shakes his head. "I messed it up. I blew my load early. It could've been great."

"Haha-Ha! I knew you had something up your sleeve! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! What bold firework would your ideology have created!?" IO. "Personally, when I was a criminal, my final act was spreading every piece of information about me across every police database around the world. I made sure every government knew of my existence!" Kyoko. "Yeah, that's how we got caught." The big man.

He slumps back. "...I don't know... I was just figuring it out as I went along. It was..." He coughs a couple times. "I w-was m-making it work... It was less than a week." He straightens himself out. "I would've... I would've shown them all how I feel."

"And how do you feeeeeel!? Show me the depths of your emotion! " IO. "I feel very normal. Maybe a little cold. The temperature in this cell is lower than in mine." Kyoko. "LC, you're overwhelming him." The big man pulls Kyoko back.

"...A-are you a cop? What's it to you how I feel? I d-don't even know who you are."

"A cop!? Of course not! I am Ideology Overdrive! Feared villain and mastermind of crimes which you couldn't even imagine! I'm the leader of TAP!" IO. "No, I'm the leader." Kyoko. "We don't really have a leader, they just have this argument every time. It's worse when RF is here." The big man.

"...So Kyoko is... SM? Is that your... criminal name? H-how..." He thinks for a moment, before pausing.

"Oh, no... SM's in high security lockup. I couldn't bring them here. They're my bestie though, you'd love them!" IO. "People call me LC." Kyoko.

"High security lockup?" He looks around. "So we're all in... low security?" (edited)

"They're even higher than us! The highest of the high!" IO.

He nods. "...My life is fucking over... G-g goddammit!" He bashes at the wall. "My entire life! It all just got taken from me in... in forty-eight hours!"

"So you wanna reclaim it, huh!? Reclaim the illustrious title of The Fungus!?" IO mimics his bashing of the wall. "I still have my life. Everything that makes me me is completely safe." Kyoko.

"I want to... no... no... maybe some structure will be good for me," He starts to laugh. "Maybe... maybe I just need control wrenched away from me... I have a place to sleep... and food, right? Pretty much the same as before, y-yeah..." "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" He kicks at the wall a few more times.

"Come on! Let it out! Fight the system!" IO.

He kicks the wall a few more times, but his strength rapidly fades. He's left panting, crumped on the floor. "...I'm all spent. I'm sorry... if people here like The Fungus, they'd probably just be disappointed with me."

"I don't care about the fungus! I care about you! Grobber Brentwood! What drives you? That's what drives me!" IO.

"Why me? Anyone could have done what I did... the whole thing was smoke and mirrors- I'm... I'm not a real criminal. I didn't kill anybody... I wasn't strong enough."

"Personally, no one could have done what I did. And I have killed people." Kyoko. "Shut up! Who cares? Gahhhh! People've got no right deciding who's unique and who's not!" IO puts an arm around Grobber's neck. "Every human's got infinite potential and power! That power has a name, of course! Ideology! Doesn't matter if you're just an average run o' the mill fungus, you're my favorite Fungo from now on! And LC's my favorite Kyoko! And LM's my favorite Little Man! We're all the most special people in the world! Let your ideologies into overdrive! It's a promise!"

"Little Man?" He gives a look to the big man. "...So... what do you want from me, Mr. Overdrive? Have you visited here just to... introduce yourself? Make a new friend?"

Little Man nods. "I just told you! I wanna see your ideology get into overdrive! And because I know you want the same, my manipulation's already succeeded!"

"And you two... wanna see my ideology too?"

"I just want to make sure you remember me. A famous criminal like you entering this prison and not knowing the main character would be unacceptable. The main character is me, by the way. Life is just a story about me. That's my belief, and I intend to keep it true. It's something like an obsession. Many people find me annoying, but I don't really care. The more annoying I am, the more memorable I am. Do you find my contributions to this conversation annoying? Or do you understand that I matter for other reasons? Please try to make sure that my name is Kyoko in your response." Kyoko. "Honestly? I don't really care about you. But I fight for my friends, so if IO's gonna do something stupid I guess I'll be there." Little Man. "See? Their ideologies have already aligned! This is the start of a beautiful alliance, don't you think?" IO.

His eyes narrow a bit. "Heh-heh... Sorry, I guess you remind me of someone else I know... I'm sure it's not your fault, my brains are still a bit rattled. I'm sure you'll have a lot of time for you to set yourself apart in my head, Kyoko." He directs his gaze to Little Man. "It's so good of you to stay loyal to your friend. My guess is that this kind of place creates quick friends in people..." He coughs. "Is there somewhere I could get some water in here?"

"The toilet!" IO. "Saliva." Kyoko. "If you want the normal answer, just wait for breakfast tomorrow." Little man.

He sighs and nods his head. "...I swear to god, as soon as I get out I'm going to get these pig Fucks in hot water. The way I've been treated... it's not fucking right. Even for a piece of shit like me." He shakes with anger. "...These pieces of shit haven't afforded me any reason to use my ideology. What's inside of me doesn't matter. I'm just responding to the way things are. People have it so backwards now... everybody's just trying to fit in with this bullshit society. I'm so fucking sick of it... I just want to show everybody how out of whack everything is. Everything is broken, and nobody sees it!"

"That's right. They're not even trying to fit in to something good, like a society that worships me." Kyoko. "Break free of the world! Be yourself! Haha-Ha!" IO.

"You all would get it. The dispossessed, criminals, the homeless... those are the only people that really understand me. You all are alright."

"We're more than alright! We're unstoppable!" IO.

"If we had met before I was in jail!" He pounds on his knee a couple times. "Damn!"

4:16 PM

"...I'm sorry. In jail we're separated from everyone else. I'm sorry, guys."

"People aren't limited by walls! They're ideas! Ideas spread far and wide across the globe! Ideologies!" IO.

He smiles a bit. "How long are you all in here for? They'll probably keep a guy like me locked up forever..."

"Life sentences." All 3 say this at once, but IO adds. "Except for SM, they've got 3 of those."

"So what do you do all day? Anybody in here got amps? freeze? apache? glass? mad dog? cactus?"

"What are those? Card games?" IO.

"Amphetamines, Cocaine, Percocet, Meth, Heroin, Peyote... they're drugs. Windows into new worlds. Self-discovery in a can."

"I don't need to get myself from a can! It's already all up here!" IO. "None of us take drugs. Consider it a symbol of status for us big criminals." Little Man.

Grobber lets out a large sigh as he leans his head back against the cell wall. "What the hell else is there to occupy the hours?"

Little Man pointed at IO and Kyoko. "There's a reason they're kind of insane." "I'm the sanest person on the planet. People wish they could be like me." Kyoko.

He closes his eyes and rubs his temples. "Do any of you have people on the outside?"

"FB, DC, and EL, but they don't come around often anymore. Pretty sure they hate us. Ooh! We do have someone else who hates us inside the prison, if that helps." IO. (edited)

"IO, RF, LC, SM, TAP, FB, EL... I'm sure there are more." He coughs some more. "Is this a... thing? In prison?"

4:38 PM

"FB..." He refocuses his gaze. "Fritz Bachmann?"

"TAP is a group. The Advanced Participants. We worked together on a top secret illegal project, until I got some of us arrested. IO, LM, SM, RF, and CR. Some of us felt like sharing names, but not all. I don't know FB, EL, DC, or SM's names." Kyoko. (edited)

"And what is the goal of this illegal project? Is it something to do with the conspiracy in Shelk?"

"It was a project to-" Kyoko tries to explain. IO covers her mouth. "Nope! Top secret! No sharing that one!"

"...Was it you? Were you the ones that did this to me?" His eyes start to widen.

"Did what?" IO.

"Put me here! Worked with Gus Amon and that Maoziwarm piece of shit! And- and Carolyn! And then Grace, and her father, and- and-" He's worked himself into a sweat.

"We did work with some of those people. Specifically-" Kyoko. "Shut up! Shut up! Stop talking!" IO physically kicks her out of the cell. "For what it's worth, we didn't put you in here. I think some of us would've preferred if you ran around and did your thing a little longer."

Grobber rushes at Ideology. "You! You monster! I was okay! I could've lived! Fritz could've helped me!" Moisture streams from his eyes as he angrily pleads at Ideology. "And you've just been toying with me from the shadows?"

"Huh!? No way! I just told you, I'm a big fan!" IO.

He slumps down. "Y-yeah... of course... you're in jail... yeah." He swallows, and falls back on his haunches. "I'm... I don't know who to trust."

4:58 PM

He looks at Ideology frantically. "I'm... I'm dying. I'm gonna die in here. Nobody is gonna know about The Fungus. It's all going wrong."

"Trust is for gullible fools! The only thing that can unite people is belief! Ideology! That’s why ours align!" IO.

"So... what's yours? Wh-whats your... ideology?"

"My ideology is nothing short of ideology itself!" IO.

Grobber leans his head back and flexes the muscles in his face. "Got it. But isnt Small Man just helping you because you're friends? Doesn't seem too... ideological."

"Friendship is its own ideology!" IO. "The word loses all meaning if you let him talk for long enough. Also, it’s Little Man." Little Man.

"Little man... little man... yeah. At the very least, you all seem to have each other's backs... What do you all think about Belto Shelk?"

"I hate that guy! Down with the government!" IO.

He nods to himself slowly. "Okay. Well get along. Great. So what's there to worry about in prison? Anything I should know? The guards seem... hands-off."

"Uhhhhh… Stay away from CR, he'd hate you. Also be careful around SM. Everyone else is pretty boring!" IO.

"CR, SM... got it. Do you all... hang out often?"

"Nope!" IO.

"Cool. So, what's on the agenda for the rest of our lives?"

"We’ll figure it out!" IO. "For now, can we get back to sleep?" Little Man.

"Y-yeah... I need to sleep off these jitters, h-heh..."

"Niiiight!" IO leaves, and Little Man follows.

"Goodnight friends. I'll see you on... the flipside." He rubs at his face and cries out in discomfort.

((Does this mean he's going back to sleep))

Yeah lol

((End session))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber wakes up in his cell the next morning.

"....I'm hungry!" He weakly wails.

2:11 PM

They must not've heard him. "I'm hungry!"

All cell doors in the block open up for morning.

He gulps, then lets his mouth hang open as he walks outside his cell door into the hallway.

"Gooood morning, TF!" IO runs straight towards you.

"O-oh shit." He looks at Ideology. "Y-you know, eh... I don't. I don't have anybody else h- like, nobody else here would want to talk to me. I'm not really in high demand. You don't have to l-l- You don't have to be so excited."

"Whaaaaat? Don't think so lowly of yourself! The Fungus is the most legendary criminal we've had in years! I called dibs so I've gotta make sure no one steals you away from me! Haha-Ha! Witness the power of Ideology Overdrive!"

Grobber shrugs. "Well Ideology, you can c-c-color me impressed, I guess." He rubs his back. "I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep here every day... last night was awful."

"Impressed? No, that's not a color at all!" He laughs in a deranged manner. "Good joke."

"..." He rubs his eyes and then smiles at him. "Heh, thanks Ideology."

"Haha-Ha! Score another point for team Ideology! Now come on, you're gonna be last in line!" He runs off towards what is presumably the cafeteria.

Grobber runs (or at least tries his best to run) after Ideology. "H-hey! Wait up!"

"Last one there's a rotten fungus!" IO. They arrive at the cafeteria and he quickly gets in line.

Grobber tries to get in line behind Ideology. "Oh- oh shit... oh- oh no..." He starts frantically looking around, nervous.

This man is standing in front of them in line. He turns around towards them in clear disgust. "Are you fucking serious?"

"Wh-whh-wh-wh-wh" Grobber begins to slink down to the floor, hyperventilating. "H-h-h-h...hiiiiiii..." (edited)

"CR! Lucky running into you here!" IO. "So you've already affected him, I see." CR ignores IO.

Grobber gets in the fetal position and starts whining loudly. "Stooooooooop......... stawwwwwwwwwwwp!!!!!!!!!"

"Hey! Get up, TF! CR's just messing around!" IO. "I am not. Do not ever speak to me. And don't call me CR, either." CR. "Our days as allies are long over. I am Clyde Reaction. A normal name befitting a normal person."

Grobber stands up, and then walks directly towards Clyde, stopping only inches away from him. "OH YEAH!!?!?! YOU GONNA SAY THAT!?!??! WELL GUESS WHAT!!!! FUCK YOU!!!!!" He starts screaming. "STOOOOOOOP!!!!!! STOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!! STOPPPP!!!!"

Clyde doesn't flinch. "Get out of here." "But we'd starve! Come on, CR... Have a little respect for your old mates!" IO. "Successfully quarantining a disease often brings about a lot of death, whether mental or physical. But those are unavoidable deaths, in service of eradicating your diseased brains from the planet." Clyde.

"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!! STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!" Grobber begins to take seconds in between every screech to massage his throat and gasp for air, but he continues screaming at Clyde.

Clyde covers his ears. "Come on! Go get him TF!" IO.

Grobber starts to cry. "STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!! STOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!" Grobber's minor lisp gets more extreme, and saliva droplets fly from Grobber's mouth onto Clyde.

The line advances enough for Clyde to get his food. He very quickly runs away from Grobber. "Woooohooo! You showed CR who's boss!" IO cheers.

Grobber continues crying, but his frown turns into a smile. "I-I did?"

"Yeah! You totally intimated the crap out of him! I bet he's gonna go cry to his dead mommy! Maybe even a living one! I dunno his parent situation!" IO laughs confidently.

"Woah! Yeah!" He joins Ideology in line. "Heh... yeah! Take that, Clyde Reaction."

"The TAP alliance is unstoppable!" IO takes his food and hurries to a table.

Grobber approaches whoever is giving out the food. Tears stream down his face, he has a grotesque grin, and his breathing is frantic. He nervously holds out his hands.

There's trays with shitty looking prison food.

He takes the tray. Is it really that easy?

It is.

He sighs and sits next to Ideology. (edited)

Ideology is sitting at a table with Little Man. "Good morning." LM. "No, it's a great morning!" IO.

"Where's that other girl?"

"The girls are in a different block. We've got special permission though, so I'll take you there later. Ooh! And you can meet SM! SM's the coolest. You'll love them." IO. "I'll be working out in the gym if you want to talk. That's what I do every day." LM. "Ah, the pride of a boxer!" IO.

"I've never been good at exercising... I did t-ball as a kid, but I never made the baseball team after that." His eyes go to Ideology. "Special permission? H-how did you get that?"

"Extortion!" IO. "Pretty sure the warden's scared of us." LM.

"W-why?" He looks at LM. "Was there some kind of... mistake?"

"What do you mean?" LM.

"I'm just surprised. Why scared of TAP? We're all in jail."

"FB, DC, and EL are still out there!" IO. "And, as the protector of this group, my muscles pose a pretty big threat to this prison. That's why I gotta keep working out." LM. (edited)

"Huh. They must be terrified, then, if they're letting us all communicate. Huh, and for people that hate you, too... Well, it's better than nothing." He keeps eating.

"Clyde has special permissions too, but he refuses to use them." LM.

"What a wet blanket! Right, Ideology? Right?"

"Yeah! You get it! CR's such a bore!" IO.

"Hahahahahhaha!" He's clearly delighted. "Yeah!" He smiles and wipes his face. "Hmmm... What do you usually do every day, Ideology?"

"Hang out with my besties! I've got a growing army of them, even if they don't wanna be one!" IO. (edited)

"That's... that's kind. You know, this place isn't half bad."

4:08 PM

"I'm just worried I'll get bored... and that the withdrawal will kill me. Hahaha... ha...."

"Nothing gets past the power of the human spirit! That's Ideology!" IO. "SM could probably smuggle some in for you if needed." LM.

"Wow..." He scratches at his arm. "In prison too." He gulps. "You guys really are the best... I'm... I'm so lucky! H-haha..."

"Haha-Ha!" IO.

"...Where were people like you outside?"

"Prison! That's where they put all the cool people they can!" IO.

"Yeah." He looks around at the people around him. "You all, everyone, even Clyde... it just like. I don't know. It's kinda stupid, but it makes sense.... He-heh... I've got some friends to hang out with again..."

"Grobber Brentwood! You have a visitor!" A guard calls out to him.

"Oh! Oh! That's- that's me!" He jumps up and walks over to the guard.

The guard leads him into the visiting room. Jeff Johnner is sitting on the other side of the glass. (edited)

"!"

4:24 PM

"Oh! It's... it's you..."

4:24 PM

"Hi!"

"Hello." He waves. "So you're The Fungus, huh?"

"Oh! Erm..." He looks around for any cameras in the room.

There is a camera.

He looks at Jeff. "There are certain... allegations... I can certainly say I'm involved in an organization that some people might call... The Fungus. Ahem."

"...Heh. Gotta say, of all people, I didn't expect you to be the one they named. Goes to show... Destiny works in mysterious ways."

"...Why have you been following it? The Fungus, I mean. Did it get picked up on your radar, or something? Haha..."

"Everything's on my radar, in a way. But if it's praise you're looking for, I can give that too."

"Oh. Ehem, I don't need that, heheheh... It's not as if I'm in prison justly. You know. I'm just surprised. You're the first person to visit me. You. You!"

"...I had time."

"Well I.. I... okay. Yeah. Thanks, hahaha..."

"So? You got some kind of plan? A grand comeback to put the idea of the Fungus on everyone's minds?"

"...My story's o-o-over, right? I mean... I'm just. I'm in jail. I can't... I'm imprisoned."

"...Huh? Really?"

He looks around himself, then slumps in his chair a little bit. "I'm like t-the rat in a cage... heheh... y'know? You've never been to jail, have y-you?"

"I have enough connections to keep myself out."

"Well, you can consider yourself lucky... whatever happens. To be honest Johnner... I don't think I'll be here forever, no matter how much I want to be. Whatever's going on in Avengard... it's not done with me."

"To be honest... I'm not really sure you had anything to do with what's going on in town."

He looks at Jeff with a faraway stare. "Have you been visited by the cat that gives people powers?"

"I'm sorry the... What?"

"Hmm... maybe it looks like you know less than I thought you do... The cat." He shakes his head. "I know you know some of what's going on. But you don't know all of it. There's this... giant, intertangled mess involving the mob, and Gus Amon, and Shuichi Maoziwam, and money heists, and TAP, and the Wights, and Subway, and... Augh. It's just a mess."

His expression turns strangely distant. "You know... about Gus?"

"Know him? I've met him! He fucked me, he did! He stole millions from m-me! That asshole! He's an asshole! Asshole!"

"He fucked you?"

"He f-fucked me over... yknow... turn of phrase."

"Oh..." He looks away. "So... Wait... You mean that money was yours?"

"Mostly. I was the kind stranger, he took all my reddit gold."

"I'm not familiar with the metaphor."

"All my apes, gone."

"What?"

"He stole all my money! Literally every cent I owned, he took it all! All funneled away to some Shuichi Maoziwam."

"Ah. Yeah, that was... Us."

"That was you!?!?!? What the FUCK!?"

"You don't know who I am?"

"You're Jeff Johnner, and I presumed you were some form of justice, but I guess I was wrong!"

"I'm at the top of the pyramid, only below my boss."

"..." He sighs. "I presume there's no way I'm getting any of that back, huh."

"Well, I'd say it's unlikely. And rather problematic for us at this point."

"That sucks, buddy.... That just. It really sucks. Fuck!"

"Tell you what... I like your style. I'll do you a small favor."

"Really? You got any drugs?"

"No. No drugs. Do you have a lawyer?"

"A lawyer? No, I haven't thought about that, eh-heh..."

"Naomi Kidink. She's the best one in town."

"Gotcha. They've not been too respectful of my civil liberties, haha... so, I'll... I'll try to contact them. I'm sure Grace will contact her."

"Alright. Is that all, then? I'd say I've covered everything."

"...Why'd you come and see me. You had time, but why make the trip? For real."

"I told you. I like your style."

"Thanks." He swallows. "I appreciate it."

He gets up and leaves.

"..."

5:33 PM

"Is there any way I could contact a lawyer?"

The guard doesn't answer.

"...Should I go ask Ideology to ask you to get me a lawyer?"

The guard doesn't answer.

Grobber walks away from the room.

Grobber arrives back in the general section. IO runs up to him.

Grobber looks at IO. "Sorry, a criminal associate of mine wanted to speak with me: Jeff Johnner."

5:41 PM

"I really should be getting a lawyer soon, huh."

"Oh... You know JJ? He doesn't actually have that title it's just a matter of consistency." IO

"Everybody in this shitty town knows each other..." Grobber looks out in the distance, attempting to conjure up some badass persona. "...But yeah, I know JJ. Kinda. I would say I'm one of his 'witnesses' and maybe one of his 'victims' but maybe not really a 'friend.' So I guess 'associate' is the best word."

"Anyway, you gotta meet the rest of TAP? Wanna start with SM or the girls?"

"Oh, there are other girls! Ehm. I could do either, although Little Man said SM could help me with my... condition... let's see them first."

"Alright!" IO heads into a Guard Only area.

Grobber follows, smiling. "Oh. Guards only, heh... maybe we shouldn't be here..."

"I can be anywhere I want!" IO enters the solitary confinement section of the prison.

Grobber follows IO.

This man is led out of that section by guards as Grobber and IO enter. IO ignores him.

Grobber silently waves hi to the man.

He doesn't react.

6:00 PM

IO arrives in front of a cell.

Grobber looks into the cell. "Uhhh... SM? It's me... The Fungus."

SM is in the cell. "..."

"...I'm one of IO's friends... You know IO, right?" He nervously looks at IO.

"SM! This is our new member! TF!" IO. "TF… You… Ah, you must be the famous Fungus." SM speaks in a creepy and offputting tone.

"Famous? I wouldn't... I wouldn't call myself famous... I'm just... yeah. Yeah I'm the Fungus."

"Fame is subjective." SM. "Nah, he’s more famous than Jesus in my book!" IO. "That would be the definition of subjective." SM. "Haha-ha! You’re so funny, SM!" IO.

"Why... why are you in solitary, SM? This sucks!'

They don’t answer. "They like to keep that stuff ambiguous. It’s their cool unique quirk!" IO.

"...Woah. R-raw.."

6:14 PM

"That's crazy."

6:14 PM

"...So, how did you meet the rest of TAP?"

"People like us are drawn together like gravity!" IO. "That’s certainly one interpretation of it. What do you think, Fungus?" SM.

"Well, unless you met each other in jail, I think you all worked together in some kind of project."

"He already told you that, did he?" SM.

"But I don't know how people find each other. Did you use a... friendship app? To meet friends?"

"Do you believe in destiny? Or some kind of greater calling?" SM. "Nothing’s greater than the human spirit!" IO. "That’s nice, IO." SM. IO smiles like a child on his birthday.

"I believe in the Fungus. I think The Fungus knows what's happening to me, and at least has a hand in it."

"Aren’t you the fungus?" SM. "It’s a little thing called believing in yourself!" IO.

"And yet Jesus believed in the Lord above, and they both believed in the holy spirit, did they not? Faith is complicated. The Fungus is beyond all of us individually, and yet it can only exist through us."

SM laughed sinisterly. "Ah… I see you’ll fit right in with them."

"No- it's not like. I'm not-"

6:32 PM

"...Oh my god."

"What's up?" IO.

"N-nothing." He laughs. "Just had a minor realization, ahem. Aren't you one of the group, just like any of us, SM?"

"That's right. I have no intent to feign superiority like CR." SM.

"And you have... contact with the outside, right?"

SM doesn't answer.

"...I have... a drug addiction. To a lot of them. A lot."

6:37 PM

"Ehm..."

6:37 PM

"Sorry. I can't ask for things, heheh..."

6:37 PM

"Can't ask for a lawyer, can't ask for drugs. It's all the same, I guess."

"Why would I help you with that?" SM.

He goes blank in the face. "I'll do anything. Do you want... what do you want? I'll give you literally anything. Do people... do people trade kidneys in jail? You can have a kidney..."

"I don't have any use for a kidney." SM.

His voice becomes more hushed. "Do I... do I have to do a gang thing? Do you want me to kill someone?"

They laugh. "I appreciate the creativity. Why not leave it at a favor? Someday you'll owe me, Fungus. Isn't that nice?"

"...Sure. Okay. Yeah." He nods.

6:44 PM

"Thank you so much... SM."

"Haha-Ha! Ideology success! You've both hit it off so well!" IO.

Grobber scratches at his neck. "Y-Yeah. You have... your ideology has succeeded. Congratulations. heh-heh..."

IO starts laughing with Grobber.

Grobber starts laughing too, in full force to be in unison with IO.

IO keeps laughing. SM does not.

After about 10 seconds, Grobber will start coughing and hacking. "How's solitary treating you?"

They don't answer.

"Cool, cool..."

6:53 PM

"Are you passionate about ambiguity?"

"Ambiguity... Is only a small part of what I stand for." SM. IO finally stops laughing.

Grobber shrugs. "I think people generally only get the highlights of a thing at any given time. If I'm trying to get somebody to think something, I usually have to make it pretty obvious for them."

"It's not my time to be the highlight yet. You can let the rest of TAP fight for that role for now." SM. "Wow! So ominous!" IO cheers.

"You're lucky you can be the highlight of anything. Only a few people get to be artists. Everybody else is just material."

"Haha-Ha! What a great ideology! The underdog argument is always the most powerful!" IO.

"Yeah? I'm glad you liked it, IO." He stands up. "I think I can be done here. I'll see you later, SM. I hope this next draught of nothing treats you as well as any ever have."

SM doesn’t say goodbye. "So, next is the girls, right?" IO.

He nods at IO. "Sure looks like it!" He dusts himself off.

IO leaves the solitary confinement section. They pass by the same man as earlier, returning to his cell.

Grobber waves at him again.

The man ignores him again.

That's what he figured would happen.

7:17 PM

As he passes out of earshot, he'll ask IO. "Who is that guy?"

"Oh, that's EB. The Edlightenment guy."

"E-excuse me?"

"You heard of him?"

"No, I've never heard of... Ed."

"I didn't say that was his name. Aha! Aren't you surprised by my intellectual capabilities?"

"Nah, you're the smartest guy I know, IO."

"Haha-Ha! So true!"

"I can't believe you can freely pass to the women's campus. Going into solitary- it's like nobody even cared."

"It's the benefit of being evil AND morally pure!"

"I guess you could call it that..." He follows IO. "It's strange, it feels like nobody else has even looked at me outside your crew."

"Obviously they don’t wanna get in trouble with us!" IO led him into the women’s section.

He looks around. How does it look in comparison to the men's section?

It looks roughly the same.

"Ideology, how old are you?"

"I lost track."

7:49 PM

He’s definitely on the younger side, at least.

"Are you an orphan?"

"Huh? You wanna know about the great Ideology Overdrive?"

"Yeah, man. Like. I dont know. Do people care about this kind of stuff in prison?"

"I would hope so!"

"Then yeah, dude, like. Like I'm kind of just taken aback by you, dude. You're a weird little character."

"Haha-Ha! I take that as a compliment!" IO Kyoko runs up to them. "You're here. Where I am. This is where I stay."

"Yeah, because you're a girl. We met SM just now. What a funny little guy."

"SM isn't interesting. They never talk about themselves or why they do what they do or what you should think about them. Not like me. I do that. I've even explained that I do that on purpose." Kyoko. "Where's RF? She needs to meet the new guy!" IO.

"Yeah, you did do that Kyoko. Say, what do you do all day?"

"I talk about myself. People are really complicated, me especially, so I never run out of things to say." Kyoko.

"I feel like the first little bit you learn about someone can go a long way. But I'm glad you have a hobby, at least."

"What was that first little bit? What did you first learn about me? What stuck out to you? Feel free to extrapolate. I love hearing analysis and explaining why it's wrong. That's another hobby I have." Kyoko. "I think you're a good friend and a grand old pal!" IO. "That's not true. I wouldn't describe myself like that. I talk to you because you talk to me and I like talking." Kyoko. "See how good of friends we are? I let her do her hobby on purpose!" IO. "This isn't about you. Stop talking about what you did." Kyoko.

"Well, LM and IO were doing most of the talking then, so it was difficult to get a sense of you during the discussion. I remembered that what you did say, it was mostly about yourself, and justifications for why you talk about yourself."

"That's true. I do do that." Kyoko.

"Why do you do that?"

"So that you know about me in the specific way I want you to. And so that you think I was one of the important people you met."

"Interesting. So you're the reason why everyone got put in jail?"

"Yes, that was me." Kyoko.

"How'd that happen?"

"I sent out as much information about me to police databases as I possibly could." Kyoko. (edited)

"Oh, cool." He nods. "Yeah, that's not. That's not what happened to me."

"Where's RF, though? They've gotta meet!" IO. "Stop asking about her. She doesn't matter. She's so annoying." Kyoko.

"I don't know, I'm sure she won't be too bad. Everybody in here seems so detached from bullshit. It's refreshing."

"No, she's so annoying. She makes everything about her. It's like she can't ever think about anyone but herself. And she's soooo confident that she's the most important person ever. It's insane. She doesn't even have anything to say." Kyoko. "He wouldn't understand just from your words. You gotta show him!" IO. "Fine." Kyoko heads towards a prison cell. "Manipulation success! Witness the power of ideology overdrive!" IO pumps his fist in the air.

"She's still in her cell... is it comfy in there?"

"She's reclusive. The reclusive RFsaurus, you could say!" IO. "I didn't understand that joke. Make sure your jokes come with the correct amount of context to be understood by me in the future." Kyoko.

"Gotcha. I get it." He goes :/. "Hi RF, I'm TF, The Fungus."

When they enter her cell, they're greeted by this person. She doesn't even acknowledge them.

"I think IO has been telling everyone about me... I got put into jail just now. You're the last one of us I'm meeting."

"I don't care." RF doesn't even look at Grobber. "You gotta earn her respect. Watch the power of ideology overdrive at work! TF here also believes you can kill god someday!" IO. "I don't need his approval." RF.

"I mean, if she doesn't want to talk to us, we don't have to... erm... we don't have to be here..."

"He's going to forget about you, you idiot." Kyoko. "What does it matter if he forgets me? You really think he's more important than me?" RF. "If no one remembers you, it doesn't matter if he's important or not. You just won't amount to anything." Kyoko. "Oh yeah? Then you'll forget me too?" RF. "Maybe I will." Kyoko. "Okay, then do it bitch. Forget me." RF. "I'm doing that right now. Forgetting you." Kyoko. "Oh yeah?" RF. "Oh yeah." Kyoko. "Oh yeah?" RF. They start making out for some reason. IO averts his eyes and tries to pretend he doesn't notice anything.

"Oh my god." He looks at IO. "Oh my god. This is like a thing, isn't it."

"No clue what you mean!" He shrugs overexaggeratedly.

"Hmmm. I think this is a good time to talk about who I am, and where I come from." (edited)

9:08 PM

"As a kid, I was always in a lot of escalated classes, but more than being the smart kid, I was the weird kid, you know?"

9:09 PM

"I got picked on a ton. It was pretty bad."

9:09 PM

"Eventually I kind of... got a taste for it I guess? When someone would make a joke about me, I would lean pretty hard into it."

9:10 PM

"It's weird, like, just knowing that there was some self-awareness was enough to stop people from picking on me, I guess. But self-awareness was never the problem, at least with me."

9:10 PM

"I never really was normal. I think I just got better at being weird."

9:11 PM

"I kept on taking advanced classes though. I was able to get into college on scholarship, which I was really proud of."

"Well, weirdness is great! I'm proud to be the weirdest version of me there is!" IO. The other 2 definitely aren't listening to you. This is just weird for everyone.

"It was always kinda hard to accept charity from my parents, even though that kind of thing is expected."

9:12 PM

"So it was great. It was ultimately between two schools, and one of them would pay for my housing, and the other wouldn't, so the choice was easy."

9:12 PM

"I took courses in computer science. I was always good at computers, and so, like, i don't know. It was an intuitive choice. Most of the courses were easy, like."

9:13 PM

"They design that kind of course of study for someone who's never coded before, and I had done some coding work for internships. I didn't do any contests or anything, but like. I was good in classes, and did some research. I presented some things, it was pretty cool."

9:13 PM

"I remember the day I learned about my parents' accident. It was weird, like."

9:13 PM

"I was living with a bunch of people at the time."

9:14 PM

"I remember going downstairs and just kind of telling my roommate what had happened, and then, I just kinda..."

9:14 PM

"I don't know. It's weird to say."

9:14 PM

"I just went outside and kind of like. Stared into the distance."

9:14 PM

"I guess I kind of just like, thought that it would hit me, you know?"

9:15 PM

"It didn't for a while. But when I was home, going through my old house, someone asked me where all the stuff should go, and sometime in the midst of doing all the paperwork... it just kinda hit me, I guess."

9:15 PM

"I never lived in that house, not for a while."

9:15 PM

"I had a group of friends, friends I had made from school."

9:15 PM

"I guess it kinda happened like this sort of arrangement. Somebody more socially active, someone with like... a stronger personality, you know? They adopted me, and they had a bunch of other losers."

9:16 PM

"They were kind of an asshole, so after they left, we were all kinda just left behind, but it's not like we all had too many other folks."

9:16 PM

His eyes drift from IO. His story begins to take a different tone.

"Are you... Is this supposed to be like a Kyoko monologue?" IO.

"They had this house that they all moved into after they graduated. They were able to find it really cheap- a church was shutting down, and it wasn't technically zoned for people to live there, but we could all skirt by."

9:18 PM

"We would play role-playing games, day in and day out. Constantly."

9:18 PM

"We were part of this huge project, this gigantic fantasy project and we had a bunch of people do it online. Hundreds of people."

9:18 PM

"They were all involved in the same game, or well- they were supposed to be. It was all supposed to come together, and like-"

9:18 PM

"It never ended up happening. The less work we were actually able to do on the project, the more ambitious we became."

9:19 PM

"Anyway, we had this scheme we would run to keep the lights on."

9:21 PM

"We would sign up for free credit card plans, referral plans, all those kinds of things."

9:21 PM

"Sign up for 100 dollars free, refer a friend for 15 dollars, a lot of the time, they don't check for duplicate identities, and with all of us teaming up, we were able to do it enough to eat and get necessities. Add in unemployment, and it was enough to buy lights, water, internet... and drugs."

9:22 PM

"So much drugs. Haven't lived a day of my life without them."

9:22 PM

"Not since I lived in that house, at least. The whole time in my mind... it's been lost. Years-long gap, just basically gone. I can be reminded of individual scenes, but the whole thing's a blur."

9:23 PM

"It's weird, you know..."

9:23 PM

"Well, eventually, one of us, this girl Ophelia, she decided she was done with that life. Wanted a job. And she moved out."

9:24 PM

"I guess it showed us eventually that we could leave."

9:24 PM

"And so, everyone did. Everyone except me... but the rent was too much."

9:24 PM

"...And so I came back to my parents house."

9:25 PM

"And between then and when all this stuff started happening... basically everything stayed the same. Everything that's inside of me was there then, too. I was just kind of... existing." (edited)

9:25 PM

"Oh yeah! All that to say, uh."

9:26 PM

"You kinda look like my old friend Ophelia, RF. You kinda just have different hair. And she was a bit bigger than you, too. And she had a different nose. And different eyes."

9:26 PM

"But there's just something kinda similar, you know?"

"I... I don't think she's listening, TF." IO is still looking away.

"Huh. Fair enough." He looks nervously at IO. "Oh my god, you didn't expect me to..." His eyes dart back and forth. "Unless..."

"...What?" IO.

He gestures at the two of them. "Is this what people do in prison?"

"I have no idea what they could specifically be doing that you could be talking about! Ideology failure!"

"Like, making out and having sex and stuff. I don't even know if sex is allowed in jail."

9:31 PM

"They never really told me the rules."

"We're just the best of buds, palling around! No clue what you mean!" IO. (edited)

"Yeah. How long do they usually take 'palling around'?"

"We pal around all day every day! That's what friendship is all about!" IO. RF breaks away from Kyoko and walks out without a word. "Asshole." Kyoko.

"Wait, where are you going?" Grobber follows. "That's your cell!"

"We're cellmates, for some reason. They really should break us apart I hate talking to her. She doesn't even care about all of the things I have to say." Kyoko. "Personally... My cellmate, LM... He's pretty cool." IO.

"You guys have cellmates? Damn... Crazy."

9:41 PM

"Yeah, LM seems pretty chill. I might try and work out with him sometime if I'm in here for a while."

9:41 PM

"Would be something to do, at least."

"They should've bunked you with CR! That would've melted his ice cold heart!" IO. "Being my cellmate has not melted my heart, personally. But that's because melting a heart sounds literally impossible." Kyoko.

"Wait, is Diend on this side of the prison?"

"Who's Diend? I haven't met them. And I've met everyone." Kyoko. "Diend nuts!" IO tries to highfive Grobber.

He high fives IO. "Yeah I should've known in retrospect."

"Woohoo! Yeah! Ideology success!" IO celebrates the highfive.

Grobber smiles. "Man, and I don't even have to do anything! Crazy!"

"Grobber Brentwood!" A guard called out to him.

"Oh shit!" He jumps up a little and goes to the guard.

"I'm not even going to ask why you're on this side of the prison. A 'Grace Rollins' is here to visit you."

"Oh! Sweet!" He grins as he goes to follow the guard.

((End session))

((Saturday))

Grobber is led into the visitor’s room. Grace is sitting on the other side and not looking at you.

"Hey. So it turns out that this thing... is a lot more complicated than I thought, heh-heh..."

She doesn’t answer.

"You know, it's not actually so bad in here. Today is wayyyy better than yesterday, Grace. With the people here, I'm kind of a legend. They see me as some kind of hero. I got visited with people recommending me lawyers, and that the police are full of shit."

She still doesn’t answer.

"I've even learned more about my money got stolen. I actually have a lead on that now, and given that I can get... what I need... in here for free, it... it looks like it's all gonna work out. Especially with how I was arrested, and if I'm able to contact a lawyer... I'm okay. It's gonna work out okay."

"It’s… not." She finally speaks.

"..." He swallows. "Did something happen between you and your dad after I left?"

"How… long ago was it that we met? I can’t even remember now."

He looks away, then shakes his head. "It was... two years at least, but it can't have been more than four. It was... it was during a molly phase... I was doing a lot of molly. I remember that was the first time you had done it." (edited)

"That's… possible." She pauses for a moment. "But the truth is, I…" She doesn’t seem to know how to continue.

Grobber gets uncomfortable in his chair. He starts to fidget a little. "Is there something bad about... the start?"

"I was… Lonely back then. I still am today, really, but… Back then, you seemed to care about me. In a way no one else did. The real drug was you. Or at least… That’s what I thought."

Grobber's eyes twitch. "Are you saying I don't care about you now!?"

"I'm… Not sure I’ve ever cared about you."

Grobbers eyes flash open. "What? Are you.... what do you mean?"

"You remember Michelle, right? When I met her, that’s… That’s when I finally knew what love felt like. She was so magical. Everything she did was so enchanting, and I could feel myself drawn in all the time. It was… so much better than being with you. In that moment, I forgot all about you. I was ready to follow her forever instead."

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't know..." His eyes are wide. He speaks softly. "Do you hate me, Grace?"

She continues. "But… She didn’t take me with her. Instead… She told me to stick with you. To make sure… You’d be as close to me as possible. If I stop and think honestly for a second… There’s only explanation. The only reason she ever cared about me… Was to get to you."

"....Mm?"

3:29 PM

He breathes in gasps. ".....why?"

"I think… She was going to take your money. And I was just her tool for that."

He's shocked into silence.

"I think… I’ve done nothing but lie to myself this entire time."

He stares at her.

"But… That didn’t last, did it?" She finally looks at him bitterly. "My father just… Had to be innocent. He couldn’t even let me have this."

"...Yeah."

"…"

He stares at her.

"When it all broke, I… I thought about it. The truth. And… who I wanted to be. Have you ever decided that for yourself?"

"...I don't think I care who it is."

"What do you mean?"

Ehn/PC

It's an unfamiliar woman and an unfamiliar old man. There's a rather fancy car behind them.

@Ehn/PC Was this car red?

((No))

"...I didn't know 'em. I don't even think the money thing is even related to your friend, really. Your friend was pathetic. She was just like me, just without anything. Why would anybody want to kill her? Nobody cares. It was probably someone who knew her. And Gus was involved? Who knew both Michelle and Gus? If anybody in that category has been acting suspiciously lately... that's your answer." He snorts. "But... I just wanted to do something. ANYTHING. It's the only thing I've done in years. I'm soooo bored, Grace. I didn't ever really want to follow the trail to its conclusion."

"You’re just… Bored?"

"I'm a lot of things."

"But all of this… The Fungus, helping me… That was all just out of boredom? It’s just a distraction you never wanted to actually finish?" She starts crying.

"...It never really goes away. It all just keeps growing. I wanted it to swallow up my life. I still want it to. I don't want to come out the other side, Grace."

"What about me, huh? I come crying to you about someone I love dying and you think that’s great for you!? Did I mean nothing to you?"

"You're the only thing I have, Grace. I'll do anything you want, I promise. I don't care about anyone else. Even after everything. You can have all of me you want." He does his best to smile.

She takes a moment to process this. "You don’t… have me, Grobber."

He stares at her.

"Even now, I just run straight into the arms of the first person who’s nice to me. And that’s… Not you. And on a certain level, that’s still Michelle. So I’m going to finish what she’d have wanted. And I’m going to move on from… All of this. That includes you."

"...no. i'll do anything."

She got up, forcing a determined look into her crying expression. "Thanks… For introducing The Fungus to me. I’ll be taking it now."

"you can't... no... you can't..."

"You’re free to hate me for the rest of your life. …I’d appreciate it." She left.

Grobber walks back to his cell.

His cell is empty.

He lies down and tries to go to sleep.

The Fungus falls asleep. He wakes back up to IO standing over him. "Wake up! Don’t waste the day sleeping!"

"...Man... it doesn't matter. I don't even... fucking care, dude."

"Whaaaat!? Don’t kid around, TF! You just got here!"

"I'm gonna be here for a million fucking years, dude. It doesn't matter."

"It does matter! All of this matters! As long as we try our hardest, everything matters! That’s the beauty of ideology!"

"I don't have a fucking ideology or whatever, dude. I don't have what you want. I'm not even the fucking fungus anymore. It doesn't matter."

4:40 PM

"I just did some shit for myself. I was bored. But it was never gonna get anywhere."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"I don't care, dude. It doesn't." He sighs. "I don't even care about anything. I just wanted to hurt people. I'm just... I'm bullshit dude."

"You aren’t bullshit! You’re TF! The most feared criminal in the world! Abandon your baggage and chase that dream!"

"I'm not even The Fungus anymore. If you want The Fungus, wait till Grace Wight gets arrested, then invite her to your group. She was basically the mastermind behind the entire thing, anyway."

"Huh? But you were talking all about being the Fungus… Did someone get in your brain and mess it all up?"

"Fucking whatever, dude. It doesn't matter. I wanted to have friends. It's the same shit I always do."

"Well you’ve got me now! I bet you haven’t noticed, but I’ve actually been manipulating you into being my friend. Pretty clever, huh?"

"Yeah. You're a genius, Ideology. You got it."

"Haha-Ha! Indeed I am! The modern mastermind!"

"I'm glad. Now I'm gonna go to sleep. Forever."

"Huh? No! You’ve gotta stay up! We haven’t had a new member in so long!"

"...You wouldn't even care about me if you knew who I was. You'd hate me."

"I care about the fungus, and that’s you! I’m not gonna start taking some ripoff over you."

"You don't know anything. She was always the one calling the shots. She was the person with the intel, the connections, everything. I didn't do anything. Even the miracles were a mistake." He starts to cry. "Ehn wanted Grace. Grace, not me! I just happened to be- I was a fucking mistake. A mistake! I was never supposed to be part of any of this. I just wanted something to do. I know Grace. That's it. That's all about me. Everything else was just. It was bullshit. I lied, I spun a web, I misused everything."

"Lies and all that are just another extension of your ideology! It doesn’t matter who knew who or who did what… It’s about the heart! The soul! The ideology! And that’s you!"

"IDEOLOGY ISN'T FUCKING REAL!!! I WANTED DRUGS AND MONEY AND TO HAVE SEX! I WANTED TO HURT PEOPLE FOR PETTY REASONS!" "I don't know how many fucking times I have to tell you. I'm not complicated. I'm not interesting. I'm not some quirky bundle of neuroses like the rest of your crew. I'm just a loser who hopped on a bandwagon and tortured some fast food workers."

"IDEOLOGY IS REAL!"

He shakes his head. "Maybe for people like you. Not for people like me. My brain has been destroyed by gallons of intoxicants and years of waste. I'm a crustacean. I jump at simple shit. I just. I just don't get it. I just do things."

5:09 PM

"I'm honored you consider me a massive criminal. I am. But everybody will forget about me soon. Or it'll get taken from me. Or whatever."

5:09 PM

"The only person in this world that cares about me, the only person that saw me for who I was, was that freak detective."

5:10 PM

"And she'd have me hanged. Maybe she's right."

"ACAB! Ignore her! I see the real you. Or at the very least, who you could be. Stop moping around and show the people how great you are!"

"I'm... I'm in jail. And the only thing that could save me is on that computer... and Grace has it now. I hope she burns it."

5:15 PM

"Grace was the only person on this Earth that gave me warmth. And she never cared."

5:15 PM

"She wants me to rot in here... so I'll do it for her, as thanks."

5:15 PM

He stops crying.

5:15 PM

"That's the least I can do." (edited)

"Screw her! Screw warmth! What matters is what you can do! Anyone can claim to be the fungus, but only you can actually be the real one! You’ll show em!"

"Why would I do that?"

"Cause you're the fungus! It's what you do!"

Grobber stands up and brushes himself off. "Do you even know what the fungus is? Explain it to me real quick."

"You're a criminal uniting the world under your name!"

"Yeah, sure. Good try. See you around, Ideology." Grobber walks off, trying to find a specific cell.

"I was right!" He still follows Grobber.

Grobber goes down the cell block, looking for Clyde Reaction's.

Clyde is reading a book in his cell.

He looks up at Clyde. "Hey. Can I sit in your cell for a bit? I just need to sit."

"Absolutely not." Clyde doesn't look up from his book.

Grobber sits down in place.

5:42 PM

Is IO still hanging around?

IO is still following. "CR? Really? He's like the biggest bore in this place!" "I have no idea what I've done to deserve your attention, but get out. I have no interest in entertaining any of you." Clyde.

Grobber ignores Clyde. "IO, do you have any idea how long it usually takes SM to get things?"

"However long they decide!" IO. "Is there some kind of prank you've all decided to play on me? You could have this conversation anywhere and yet you choose to pollute my personal cell with it." Clyde (edited)

"No, I just wanted to find a nice, quiet place where I could rot for a million years."

"Well, as much as I would appreciate that, I'd rather be able to use my cell for the foreseeable future. Don't you have your own cell to rot in?" Clyde. "Come on, CR! Now's the time to turn around and support TF! You've gotta show him you were secretly on our side the whole time!" IO. "None of what you just said is correct." Clyde.

Grobber lets them argue.

"But you're part of TAP! You're supposed to ride with us til the end, y'know?" IO. "TAP was a doomed project that got us all here. Attempting to work with you lunatics landed me in prison. In what way should I owe you a favor for that? I've never liked you, any of you. And my time in prison has allowed me enough self-reflection to understand a basic fact. You would all be more of use to me if you died." Clyde.

He hangs his head and rests it in his arms.

"Your friend here has come to the same conclusion. All of you are not quirky, interesting, or funny. You're all simply time bombs. You'll blow yourselves up in fits of rampant and unavoidable stupidity. And you'll take everyone around you... down with you. Sanity is the basis of civilization. People who are incapable of operating on a basic level do not belong here. They don't belong anywhere. They're a poison. A disease. And yet while you spread your diseases rampantly throughout the world, you're all treated as equal to the hardworking man. A pointless suicidal bomb is entrusted with the same amount of worth and value as a tool with purpose. Clarity. To use your words, people require a coherent ideology. But none of you have one. You're nothing short of rampant plagues for the sake of plagues. You have no reason to live and yet you claim life on the same grounds as those who do. You're worse than failures. Irredeemable garbage designed to burn to a crisp in order to free up space for the next batch of garbage. If you want to claim to be sentient, use your bit of control, however insignificant and tiny, and remove yourself from this world without dragging me into it." Clyde.

Grobber looks at IO solmenly.

"Tch... He doesn't like... Get us, right TF?" IO.

"My entire life I've just hurt people I wanted to help and helped people I've wanted to hurt. I want a wizard to turn me into dust. I'd do it myself if I knew how. If I wasn't SO STUPID! STUPID!"

"Wizards aren’t real." CR. "I mean… They could be… But that doesn’t matter! The power of the fungus transcends wizardry! Even if you think you’ve screwed it up so far, you’ve still got me! And that means you’ll never hit rock bottom! You can only claw your way back up as far as you want!" IO.

"I don't care I don't CARE! I don't want anything to do with the fungus! I want to hide in a cave eating saltines, or overdose in my sleep! Why would you think I want to do the Fungus? Did you think I was some petty glory chaser? Did you think I got anything out of it? No!"

"I got something out of it! I’m a fan! Do it for me!" IO.

"I! I don't!" He sputters. "I... You can find someone else. You can find anybody else. Why me? Grace will do everything better, just wait. I don't have anything she doesn't. Not anymore."

"You’ve got you! I believe in the power of the human spirit!" IO. "Spirits do not exist. People are made of various chemical elements and turn to nothing when they die." Clyde. "If you’re gonna get involved, CR, stop being you!" IO. "This is my cell and that isn’t my name." Clyde.

"..." Grobber turns over. "'swas all stupid in the first place. 'fucking idiot. should've done nothing and snorted cocaine off hookers."

"Well… Those don’t sound like the fungus I know!" IO. "Yes they do." Clyde.

"Carolyn, Gus, Fritz, Grace, the Subway guy, Johnner, Dana, Ariel, all of them were just fucking! Fuck! Nothing! It was fucking nothing, dude! All of them! Just bullshit!"

"But the power of TF’s still enough to beat them all down!" IO. "In your delusions, perhaps. But reality does not bend to your will. You’re just as nothing as them, and yet still broken." Clyde. "Damn it, CR! Stop giving your input!" IO.

"...We're deadlocked. What are you going to do if I magically get better, just talk at me? Well, go ahead. Skip to that part of the conversation."

"Well, if you got better I’d just follow your lead for a while." IO. "I’d ask you to leave." Clyde.

"I just wanted to fucking sit down, dude. You have to fucking understand right now. I'm having a bad fucking day, asshole. Can I fucking sit right now? You got a problem with me sitting? Can I fucking sit? I'd like to fucking sit!"

"You have your own cell. Why are you bothering me in mine?" Clyde.

Grobber doesn't answer.

Clyde finally puts down the book. "Do you want to know what I think? I think you came here because when we met this morning I made it clear that I agreed you would die. This is not about relaxation, you want validation. Encouragement. You want the person who hates you whom you can most immediately speak to to either forgive you entirely or condemn you to death. So, allow me to make it clear. It’s the latter. If you want to follow my input, kill yourself. Hang yourself with your own bedsheet, slit your wrists with a plastic knife, it’s of no concern to me. But that is my verdict."

"Or maybe I just wanted to be around a fucking normal person! Maybe I'm not the most machiavellian guy ever! Maybe I'm just a fucking guy!" He stands up. "You ever think about that, asshole!?"

"You don’t deserve me." Clyde.

"Well maybe I will kill myself, bitch. But if I die, I'm gonna take out as many as I can. In a pinch, one is enough, fuckface." He walks towards Clyde Reaction and attempts to punch him in the face.

((Roll))

Accidentally rolled twice, first was a 3

He misses, but Clyde looks visibly scared. "Ha! Good bluff! You totally got him! CR’s gonna piss himself!" IO.

"Got anything else, bitch? Wanna tell me to kill myself again?"

"You’re the one bothering me!" Clyde. "Go! Get his ass!" IO.

Grobber tries to punch Clyde again.

((Using your 1)) Grobber completely misses the shot. Clyde gets up and starts yelling for the guards.

Grobber chases after Clyde.

IO also follows.

"You f-fucking piece of shit! I'll break you, bitch!"

"Guards! Guaaaaards!" Clyde.

Grobber will run up to Clyde, trying to punch him in the neck or head.

((Roll))

7:35 PM

Holy fuck dude

As Grobber goes to punch Clyde, he’s suddenly hit down to the floor with tremendous force from behind. "Clyde's my friend before you are." Little Man.

"I've gotta fucking kill him! He's- he's!" After that blow, it's difficult to get words out. He's crying pretty hard.

7:37 PM

"Kill me then! Do it!"

"LM what are you doing!? You’ve gotta get Clyde! He’s playing the villain right now!" IO. "I’m pretty sure Clyde is never playing." Little Man. "I’m not a gamer." Clyde.

"I've lost! I've lost so kill me! Kill me!" Grobber will do his best to get up and thrash at Little Man. (edited)

((Roll))

This works perfectly.

What does that mean lol

((It means you succeeded at what you were trying to do))

(Well yeah but in my head, if I'm grobber, I'm just trying to thrash out and hit little man. What happens? Do I noodle arm him? Does he get hurt? Does he drop dead?)

7:43 PM

(wasn't fully thinking of consequences just thinking of what grobber would do)

Little Man is hit hard. He smiles. "You wanna fight, huh? Haven’t gotten to really brawl in a long time. But boxing’s in my blood." "Why are you 2 fighting???? CR was the jerk! This isn’t what’s supposed to happen!" IO.

"Fucking kill me! One of us has gotta die! I'm done! It's over! Let me wrap it up!" He screams.

"I can’t take your soul through boxing, it’d be nothing short of heresy. But if you want boxing therapy, then brawl out big guy!" Little Man gets into boxing stance.

Grobber launches a fist at Little Man.

((Roll))

14.

It hits. "Good one!" He punches Grobber in the chest. "Get into stance, you gotta block these."

Grobber does not focus on any sort of defense or focus. He throws another punch at Little Man.

((Roll))

It’s not a strong hit but it hits. "Glass canon, huh? Not a popular style, but you’ve always been an unusual guy. Let’s see if it works out ya." He tries to hit Grobber but it misses.

"FUCK YOU!" Grobber throws another punch at Little Man, 18.

It hits hard. "Nice hit. You feeling better yet, or you wanna swing it out harder? Come on, let out all your anger! No need to keep it in there! You think shit sucks? Beat that shit out of me!" Little Man. "What is… happening?" IO.

"I'm gonna fucking kill you! G-gragh!!!!" Grobber swings again. 1.

Grobber misses completely, allowing Little Man to hit him from the back. "Come on, that your best? You’ve gotta have more anger in there!"

He starts crying harder. "It-it starts with you!" He swings again.

7:59 PM

It misses again. "Oh yeah, and who’s it end with?" Little Man. The guards finally arrive, but IO stops them. "It’s purely consensual fighting! Just normal boxing! Don’t throw anyone in solitary!"

"I'll fuck up everyone who's made my life hell! I'll show them all to be sorry! And that's everyone! Everyone on this shitty planet has ruined me. So I'm just gonna kill them!" He swings at Little Man again.

8:03 PM

It misses. "Gonna kill em all, huh? How you gonna do it? Gonna wish em to death? You don't have anywhere near enough power to make a dent there."

He somehow cries even harder. His face looks like an oil painting that fell on the ground. "I can't! I'm fucking pathetic! But I can kill you, so I will!" He punches Little Man again.

8:11 PM

It misses. "Not to be IO, but you've still got more power than you think! What matters most in this world is a willingness to try to do better. No one's born a great boxer. We train, and train, and train... Because we wanna be better at boxing! That's how life works. Do you wanna be pathetic or do you wanna be a real man? Life's up to you!"

"I want you to see your eyes bleed and your brain come out your ears! I don't care! I'm not like you! I don't Care! I just hate everything!" He punches Little Man again.

8:16 PM

11.

He blocks it. "Let all that hate out!"

"FUCK! YOU!" He punches Little Man again.

8:20 PM

15.

It hits. "That's it! Keep going!"

"PLEASE!!!!" Again.

8:21 PM

17.

Another hard hit. "Another one!"

"Please!" Again.

8:22 PM

It misses. "You can do it! I believe!"

"Please.... please..." Again.

8:23 PM

It misses. "Put your all into this one!"

"Please..." His tongue hangs out of his mouth as he gasps for air. His left arm clutches his chest. His feet almost trip, but he recenters himself. He tries to punch Little Man again.

8:25 PM

12.

It hits hard enough to knock Little Man back.

"please..." He stumbles towards Little Man, still clutching at his chest. Sweat covers his face, and in just this short amount of time he's worked up enough body odor to make the whole room smell pretty yucky. He swings one of his fists at Little Man, stumbling into the attack.

8:28 PM

He misses, and falls over from exhaustion.

"...p-pl..."

8:30 PM

He can't get words out.

"Get some rest before you try to take me on again." Little Man punches him in the head, knocking him out. ((End session.))

((No session this week. Not locking you out for long it’s probably just better to let other people catch up to you))

(Lol I already said I couldn't do session this week, so don't worry about it

)

((I’m going to stretch it another week sorry. You can have one if you really want but it feels like a bad idea))

no problem!

10:46 PM

(honestly i prefer more space between sessions rather than 4 sessions in a row than nothing for 2.5 months if i had to pick)

((Saturday))

((Oh right whoops))

5:44 PM

Grobber wakes back up in his cell. IO is standing over him. "Morning!" Under the other bed is a box that wasn't there before.

"Shit..." He rubs his head. "Is it morning already?"

"Nope, still today. Felt more appropriate, though!"

He sighs. "They aren't even taking me to solitary? I yelled I was gonna kill him..." He walks over to the box and opens it.

The drugs he asked for are inside. IO quickly tries to pull the box away from him.

Grobber tries to hold onto them. "NEED."

((Roll))

16.

Grobber's got the drugs. "You don't really need those! Come on!"

"I'll fucking fillet you, dude. I'm going through withdrawal and these fucking pig cops aren't treating me for that shit." He digs in the box for something he can use for immediate relief. (edited)

"Withdrawal? Who cares? You don’t need those!" IO. ((I know nothing about drugs so you can just say whatever’s in this box))

Grobber pulls out a tightly wrapped plastic bag and licks his pointer finger, rubbing it inside the bag, and then spreading it on his gums. "Hooooly... yeah..." He continues to fumble around in the box, producing various infusions and herbs that he consumes, injects, and insufflates.

6:22 PM

He folds the box back up and sits on it, leaning back.

6:22 PM

"Yeah... great. Great."

"Haha… Well, you’re done with that completely random and irrelevant substance so you can get rid of this box now!”

He ignores IO.

"Something wrong?"

"No.... everything is perfect." He closes his eyes. "Yeaaaa.... okay..." He takes a deep breath in and out. "I can make this work..."

"Make what work? Come on, don’t leave me out!"

"Life. This is the best things have ever-" He strains to speak. "Been."

6:41 PM

"You really are the best IO... yeah..." He slouches down into his position further.

"Yes! Ideology success!"

He stays silent, and opens his mouth, starting to drool.

"Wow, you seem real tired!"

"No. Errr... sure. Maybe? Sorry, what was the question? Sorry, nevermind, I don't give a shit."

"…Huh?"

"Dude, you gotta try this sometime. You fucks really are missing out... I feel bad for you pathetic fucks..." (edited)

"I try breathing all the time!"

"Yeah..."

"Wanna go see LM? He’s probably waiting to talk about that fight!"

"No I can... I can stay here for a bit..."

A guard walked up to the cell. "Prisoner, your cellmate is here."

"...mmm? Sure, come in." (edited)

Bob Smith walks up to the cell and looks inside. ((Channel switch))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

((BOB AND GROBBER))

The blond guy notices Bob and immediately looks ecstatic. "The Elusive Sentasaurus!?"

"Well, yeah. Kind of. I'm his manager, Jackson Day."

"No you’re not." He shakes his head.

"Hey." The other man in the cell doesnt look at you.

Ehn/PC

"No you’re not." He shakes his head.

"Ok fair. I'm POSING for some team nine member named jackson day. He's kind of. gone." (edited)

7:43 PM

"Anyways, lets trade names, hey cowboy, what'd you do?" I tap on the fungus's shoulder.

"Well, I’m a much bigger fan of the elusive Sentasaurus! Anyone parading around in a cool suit like that is basically a master of ideology!"

He practically spasms at being touched by Bob. "SHIT!" He swallows. "I... I didnt do anything. Well. I'm the worst. So they're putting me away forever. I'm Grobber Brentwood." His voice sounds more like a whine.

"And your's?" I point to the catboy who loves the elusive sentasaurus.

"Haha-Ha! The name's Ideology Overdrive, but everyone just calls me IO!" There is no catboy.

what

7:46 PM

"Neat. Anyways, now that you know about the elusive sentasaurus, I say we lighten the mood with a little tale, before we get down to business."

"Oh god... are you gonna bring all of TAP together? Is it gonna be a big fucking deal again?"

"Ooh, I love tales!"

"Yeah, yeah, tell a story." He leans his head back.

"Alrighty. Pick a number between 1 and 100."

"101!"

"Both people." (edited)

"...two."

"Neat. 101 + 2, 103! 103/2 equals 51.5. Just a little over 50."

7:49 PM

"Alright. Time to tell a little tale. About this kid, and this fisherman."

7:50 PM

Bob tells the tale.

7:50 PM

7:51 PM

7:52 PM

7:53 PM

7:54 PM

7:55 PM

In summary, the story is about how Bob meets up with a fisherman and his kid, and how he successfully trolls them all into thinking he's a robot. Somehow he succeeds.

7:56 PM

It may take a while for Grobber to process the story. But it's alright. Its stupid anyways (edited)

"Wow… Pretty crazy!"

Grobber absentmindedly traces at the wall with his finger. He looks like he's probably on drugs, and he's covered in bruises. "Huh, cat must get around then." He sighs. "And to think I thought I was something special."

"Special is bad. Normal is the new cool. If we wanna be special, lets do it together."

7:58 PM

"So because Grobber is in here forever, here's our game plan: We're going to start a cult."

"Haha-Ha! You’re just as fun in person!"

"That sounds like a great... great idea. You should do that. I'm gonna do drugs instead."

"And we're going to call it: Edlightenment."

The Fungus

"That sounds like a great... great idea. You should do that. I'm gonna do drugs instead."

"No no no no NO! Wait! We can make it a drug cult! We can like support a drug god!"

8:00 PM

"We can do heroin... with you! Or something."

"...Edlightenment. Wasnt there some edlightenment guy here? EB?"

"Hey! No drugs! Stop doing a drug thing!"

"E stands for Ed then, I guess. One question solved, a million fucking more to go. Whole thing is useless, anyway."

"Yeah. Edward Blythe is the original leader of Edlightenment."

"...Blythe? Like-"

"It's real. That's why we're going to make an edlightenment 2!"

8:02 PM

"Yes, yes. Carolyn Blythe. I tried to murder her once. It was pretty sick."

"Wow, you’re wild!"

"Man, you seem like... You seem like a good guy, so I'm gonna be real with you." He looks directly at Bob. His eyes are bloodshot. "You don't want to build something with me. Whatever you try, it will fail. Whatever you attempt and fix, it'll break. If you get attached to me, bad things will happen. It's just the way of the world."

8:05 PM

"They didn't put me in here for any real reason. They're never gonna get me for any real crime. The reason I'm here is to separate me away from anybody that still matters. Plain and simple."

8:05 PM

"I already tried to start something, and I ruined it, and someone stole it. It doesn't matter anymore."

The Fungus

"E stands for Ed then, I guess. One question solved, a million fucking more to go. Whole thing is useless, anyway."

"Jeez. You care about that? It's a bunch of brainless politics."

"Come on TES! Cheer him up with some classic dino humour! This is your battle of ideology!"

The Fungus

"Well, failure builds character. It'd might as well be the new normal. I'm not perfect. I got tortured a million times. Gotten shot by Jackson Day a few times. Gotten shot by Jeff Johnner a few times. Gotten shot by Ethfan a few times."

8:08 PM

"Come on man, I'm fucked up! Just like you!"

"You know Jeff Johnner, Carolyn Blythe... you... you... you like fucking with people, huh?"

"You... you KNOW these people?"

"Iiiiit's a smaaaall wooorld."

Grobber doesn't answer the question. He stands up. "Have... have you been following me?"

"If I could follow you, I should have. I'm so glad that we could be together." Bob kisses the fungus.

Grobber lunges at Bob, attempting to wrap his hands around his neck. "YOU FUCKING BIG BELTO SHELK MOTHERFUCKER! I'LL FUCKING TEAR YOU APART! YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"

"See! This is what a family means! Not that "Mom and Dad" bullcrap. Just a bunch of aguys who hang out an-"

8:11 PM

"UGH!"

((Roll))

"U-u-u-u-u-u"

Grobber misses.

8:13 PM

"Hey! Stop! Stop! We’re all the best of friends here!" IO tries to get in between the 2.

"You can strangle me again if you like! That's what best friends are for!"

Grobber lands on the ground, and slowly stretches out. "No, no... I'm overreacting... you're not Bigbeltoshelkfan at all... you're a good kid... you probably hate Belto Shelk... yeah..."

Bob attempts to snap IO's neck. "We can talk this out together. You and me. And then we can make that cult and cause a prison ruckus."

This evidently does not work. "Hey, what the hell TES!?"

"How djou... how do you know who I am?"

"I thought I needed some alone time. Sorry."

8:16 PM

"Say, what's your gender?" I say this ti IO.

"Did you just try to kill me…!?!?"

"To prove a point, yeah. Just following in Jackson's footsteps, that's all."

"Wow, that’s such a great ideology!"

The Fungus

"How djou... how do you know who I am?"

"YOU RUN A CULT TOO?"

He spits on the ground. He spies the area around for cops. "I... I didndu shit. I drugged and bribed a bunch of homeless people. Grace is gonna mobilize a million people. Better than I ever could."

"The poor deserve it, honestly."

"You’re the one and only TF, TF! That’s the truth of it! Ignore the fakes!"

"TF?"

"The Fungus. But I don't want to be called that anymore."

8:21 PM

"Not that I still could be, even if I wanted to."

"Anyways, if I can't force you to join our little cult, I guess I will slowly wait until you comply."

8:21 PM

"Say IO? How old are you and what did you do exactly to end up here?"

"LC posted everything about herself on police databases so we all got caught! Well, most of us, but y’know!"

"LC?...."

"Yeah there's a whole fucking crew of these people."

"And TF's our newest member! Oh! Wanna join, TES?"

"You know what? Sure."

8:28 PM

"If Grobber doesn't want his status as the fungus, I guess I'll name myself it."

8:29 PM

"If it makes your feel better." Bob pinches Grobber's cheek."

He barely gets words out. "Idon'tgiveashit"

"Come on man. Now your just being a douche. Let's be friends! Like say, can I do drugs with you?"

"No drugs!"

"MINE!" He yells at Bob Smith. He sighs. "Listen, man, you can do whatever you want. I'm... I- I just..." He slumps against the wall. "I don't know. I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"Alright asshole. I was a special agent willing to give you a chance. But you know what?" Bob restrains Grobber "You're under arrest."

8:34 PM

"We've finally caught you for the perfect allegations. The drugging of thousands of homeless people." (edited)

"That's what I'm already in here for, asshole! Nobody gives a shit! Fuck you!"

"I'm going to put you in a special team nine prison where ethfan will torture you for all eternity!"

"...Whatever." He goes limp.

"YOU'RE NO FUN TO TALK TO AT ALL! FUCK YOU!" I punch grobber as hard as a criminally can so he gets knocked unconcious

((Roll))

((12))

This hurts but it does not knock him unconscious.

"...I... can you get him, IO?"

"Stupid idiot! I've literally done nothing wrong but be nice to you!" I spit at grobber.

"But this is an ideology battle! I’m just a spectator, I can’t intervene!"

"Yeah. Don't even try, pipsqueak."

Grobber doesn't move. "Hit me harder. I deserve it."

"YOU KNOW WHAT? FUCK YOU HARDER!" I bash IO in the head to knock them unconcious.

((Roll))

((8))

He dodges. "Sheesh, you’re even more aggressive than him! You wanna fight LM instead?"

Grobber just stays on the floor in his haze. "Just fucking kill me already. End my life. There's no getting better than this."

((Gonna end the session here))

"Come on, TF... You can't give in so early!"

He doesn't say anything.

"So are you just. Resorting to murder now?" Sophie is lying down in a bed next to Bob? Jackson?'s cell.

The Fungus does not see this.

He does hear Bob speak this out loud though.

2:25 PM

"What? No. What? Why are you guys here?

IO is watching eagerly.

"It's like poetry. You haven't freed yourself from anything at all. Look at where your at, Bob!"

Of course Grobber cant see this. His eyes are closed.

"Oh. Shut up. SHUT UP! I'M JACKSON DAY NOW! THIS IS MY CONCLUSION! I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO REVOLVE AROUND OTHERS! I SHOULDN'T JUST LET PEOPLE REVOLVE AROUND ME!" (edited)

2:33 PM

"And there we are. Back to square one. You haven't learned anything from what I've told you. If you can't revolve around others, you're just revolving around yourself." (edited)

2:33 PM

"guys. GUYS! If I could, I could look like jackson day, right?"

Grobber stays limp on the ground, trying to reclaim the fragments of his drug trip.

"What else choice do I have BUT to revolve around myself? I have to make up my own destiny, actually make meaningful choices in a place that doesn't allow me to! And I have to do that by caring more about myself! If I just revolve around people, I'll make them miserable! I'll make myself miserable!"

"Just let it happen, Jackson. Let yourself be miserable. There's no way for weird people to be happy. If you don't subscribe to the lie theyve tried to tell you, they dont let you be happy. The faster you realize that, the faster you can grow." (edited)

"You gotta be yourself! Unquestionably! Let that ideology run wild!"

"Grobber is right, for once. You are nothing but a commodity. A goods and services. You are no more than mentally ill."

2:46 PM

Bob chuckles. "I really appreciate for calling me Jackson, Grobber."

2:47 PM

"Ethfan is right. So is Grobber. We kind of just. Use you for stuff."

2:47 PM

"True."

"Names are just... fucking bullshit, dude. They don't affect anything. I'll call you whatever you want."

"A name is correlated with identity. An identity is something you strap onto a person that will fufill this identity. Something to tag on someone's great accomplishments. To show that your life was meaningful."

2:49 PM

"Do.... do I even have a name?"

"No lives are meaningful. We're all just animals tricked into believing that we have souls. Existential dread can be solved by food, sleep, or drugs. Don't kid yourself."

"I.. see......"

2:55 PM

"For this chapter in my life, I've been trying to find myself for who I am. If I deserve friends, if I am good or bad, if I'm human, or inhuman..... but you know what? If god was watching up at me, I'd think that anything I did was terribly incoherent. Because I'm trying to find meaning.... in something that doesn't exist."

2:55 PM

"Food. Sleep. Drugs. Was. All that should have been in my life."

"If it makes you feel better, literally every human on the planet is doing the same thing."

2:56 PM

"But we're all just a bunch of deformed apes that want stuff from people that don't want us to have it. It's not really any more complicated."

"That makes sense. What I've done is ambitious. The same ambition that causes corruption at the top. I deserve prison. And they'd deserve prison too, if they weren't so lucky." (edited)

IO kicks Grobber. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Life has meaning! It has value! Everyone is born for their own unique greatness! That’s the power of Ideology! People are more sacred than anything else! Gods bow down to the power of worship because anything that thinks it’s greater than mankind has got nothing on the unflinching power of the human spirit!"

"I think if a person was to feel any positive emotions about bullshit ideologies, in cost for anything negative about them, I would rather take the other road."

Grobber cries a little bit, but says nothing.

"Hav Kerloe succeeds at everything he does despite being mentally ill. At this point it's clear! But he has to be held up by people in order to get to that point! People that manipulate his every move, and give him little say while he thinks he does."

"There’s nothing bullshit about ideology! It’s the greatest force in the world!" He smirks. "And trust me, Hav Kerloe has faaaaar from succeeded at anything."

"it's bullshit... admit it... you're an animal... you're a fucking caveman."

3:06 PM

"just muscle, sinew, and guts."

"Cavemen rose above the animals even then! Only it mastered the power of fire!"

"Please... hit me again." He's crying harder.

Ehn/PC

"There’s nothing bullshit about ideology! It’s the greatest force in the world!" He smirks. "And trust me, Hav Kerloe has faaaaar from succeeded at anything."

"Exactly! He believes that he's contributing to the cycle of life! When he hasn't contributed to anything at all! Fish are independent of their own lives! They eat sleep and fuck on their own terms! They die on their own terms too! But hav is being lifted up by these people! He isn't living! He's just an commodity!" (edited)

"Hav Kerloe… And fish? What’s the connection?"

"HAV KERLOE IS THE PERSON DOING THIS! THERE IS NO CONNECTION!"

"Then why are you talking about fish!?"

"...does literally everyone in this town know the same twelve people?"

"Stop gaslighting me into thinking there's something interesting about all this. Point of the matter, he's basically a dead person."

3:09 PM

"Do you... do you have any drugs?" I say this to grobber (edited)

"mine. My drugs. Beg SM for more."

"No drugs!"

"You appreciate the ideals of ideologies, and yet you disdain from people having the freedom to do drugs. Are you sure you aren't just like us?"

"Drugs aren’t anything like ideology, they’re the opposite. Sheesh, do you even read theory?"

"If a person was a medical doctor and decided that drugs can cure medicine, and then set up a drug cartel, then that's an ideology!"

3:13 PM

"He believes that law doesn't exist for the path of greatness, even when the law is there to protect people as well, which is why drug cartels are bad."

"Drug cartels are great for the guys on top! The addicts are the ones destroying their own ideologies, so they have to change. Simple as that."

"Ideology, if I call people animals again, will you kick my head?"

"You say that they "destroy their own ideologies" but you haven't said anything about why."

3:16 PM

"Addiction can show the boundaries people enjoy about living. How fast they are to tarnish it."

3:16 PM

"They can have different reactions for being an addict. Such as thinking that they need this to live, or that its a gateway for them to deserve death."

"Drugs weaken the mind, and the body… They’re like poison! They wilt away at your ideology until you’re convinced you’d rather poison yourself than be happy." (edited)

Grobber sighs. "Can you all take this conversation somewhere else? I've had a rough day... I need some sleep."

"But he’s your new cellmate."

Grobber slowly crawls to his bed.

"Hav Kerloe.... he needs to die. He needs to show how useless he is in this world when he's finally gone."

3:27 PM

"I care about him too much to have his torment happen to anyone else."

"Is Hav even still alive? I figure he’d have died by now-" IO. "Night time! Everyone return to your cells!" The guards yell out from outside.

"Of course..."

"He probably is. I think. Whatever it is, I'm just going to provide myself with food and sleep, and live."

3:29 PM

"Good night, Jeff. Sophie. Ethfan. Edward. Wilford. Naomi. Matrick. Gordon."

"You guys better do better tomorrow. You’re really disappointing me like this!" IO leaves.

((where does IO leave to))

((He leaves the cell))

"What. You can just do that?"

"He's got another cell, Jackson."

"Oh."

3:31 PM

"Good night."

3:32 PM

"Goodnight. Live your life when I inevitably worm you out of this."

3:32 PM

"For me, I'll be staying up. Not like you will be seeing anything I will be doing."

3:33 PM

A bunch of other characters Bob met in his route say goodnight.

3:33 PM

Bob goes to sleep. Ready to wait an eternity until chapter 9.

((Bob finished chapter 8.))

Grobber tries to sleep, massaging his wounds. He coughs, and shrivels into a ball, and eventually loses consciousness.

((Grobber finished chapter 8))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

9: Anthropic Guilt

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

Both wake up in the same prison beds the next morning.

Grobber wakes up with a startm his eyes flying open at the same time. ".....mmph."

Bob wakes up and attempts to make his hair look like Jackson Day.

((Roll))

((12))

It kind of looks like that if you squint.

BOb searches for ideology overdrive.

((Channel split))

Bob Smith

He is searching

Jump

Go to message!

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

"...thank fuck, man."

2:49 PM

Grobber looks around his cell for any insects or the like.

((Roll))

There are a few small bugs around.

Grobber regards them with a smile, but doesn't get too close to them. "Heh, little dudes... looks like we're in it for the long haul, eh-hem... yeah... yeah..."

2:54 PM

He traces the lines in the wall with his fingers. "A good day to die.... a good day to die like all the rest."

The bugs do not respond.

That's okay. He didn't need them to.

Clyde Reaction walks past his cell.

"PUSSY!"

3:13 PM

"WHY DON'T YOU BRING ME BACK SOME BREAKFAST OR I'LL BEAT YOUR FACE TO A PULP!"

"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil."

"I'll see you later, bitch."

He keeps walking away.

Grobber goes back to looking at bugs, before picking at his teeth.

"Grobber Brentwood! Someone is here to see you!" A guard comes to the cell.

Grobber sighs, going to the room to meet whoever is waiting for him.

It's this woman. "Good morning, Mr. Brentwood. My name is Naomi Kidink, I'm a defense attorney. You may have heard of me."

"Mmff. Yeah. Hey."

"I understand you've been accused of being a local terrorist known as The Fungus?"

"Yeah, that's the charge..."

"It's also my understanding that you don't currently have an attorney defending you?"

"Yup. They got me in here to rot, dude." He refuses to put the dots together.

"If you pay my standard fee, I would be more than willing to defend you. I might even be able to make you eligible for parole by the end of the day. I am a professional, after all."

"Dawg, I-" He shakes his head. "First things first, I don't have any money. My shit got all wrapped up in some Shuichi Maoziwam-Jeff Johnner-Gus Amon scheme. They cleaned me out. 'Sides. I just... I don't even know what I would do outside of here."

She thinks about something before responding. "…What would you do in here that you couldn’t do outside?"

"Eat for free. Easily avoid people. Bash people for fun. Get good drugs without leaving my cell."

3:45 PM

"Do you know how much fucking... work, it is, just to make it out there?"

3:46 PM

"Shit eats you up at all sides. Gotta work to make money to buy food, pay taxes..."

3:46 PM

"People like you are forced to always fight against entropy. In here, I'm free."

"Do you really think that kind of life is truly living? You’re asking to live as a pet to no one. Life can be stressful… But when you have to do things you don’t want to, that’s how you know you’re alive."

"No life is worth l-living! It's all bh." He swallows. "bullshit! It's all just-" Grobber sighs, and leans back. "Listen, dude, I appreciate the help, and I understand the hustle, like I get it. But I'm just a worthless kid. I can't give you the nectar you're tryna squeeze out of me. Sorry."

She sighs. "…I don’t need your money. I need you to watch someone for me."

"W-watch someone? Who exactly do you need watching?" (edited)

"Bob Smith. Your cellmate."

"...Sure. I can do that. Don't got much else to do. Don't worry about letting me out. I'm fine how I am."

"No. You’re not."

"Dude, out there... I gotta deal with the folks around me, my fucking. Bitch ex. I gotta deal with my stolen valor, I gotta deal with the fact I have zero fucking money. It's fucking."

3:59 PM

"Never had to deal with all that shit. Not all at once. I never want to."

"So you’re just hiding away from your problems? That won’t accomplish anything."

"Yes! That's the whole fucking point, dude! I'm done having to accomplish shit."

4:09 PM

"Accomplishing stuff never did anybody any favors. Not really, anyway."

"My whole life has been nothing but accomplishments. I assure you, it’s done me quite a few favours."

Grobber shrugs. "Everything I've done, it's left me with nothing. It's left me here. And to be honest, all my accomplishments... they just feel like Reddit Gold. Who cares. I'm happy just existing."

4:14 PM

"Well, not happy, but.... who really is?"

"…Reddit Gold? Is that some kind of scam?"

"Yeah, it's a way that a bunch of rich fucking nerds turned gratification into a useless online commodity. It's like everything else in the real world, just a little more abstract."

"…Oh. Then I don’t particularly care. But as I’ve said, you aren’t alive. This isn’t life. This is a slow, willing death."

"And how exactly do you distinguish that from life? Is life when you get to be happy? Is life when you get to do all the things and win all the points? Is life when you meet some other useless third criteria?"

"I told you… Life is when you suffer and… When you persevere. If you don’t live a life with difficulty, you’re not living at all. You’re just a shell."

"I'm fucking TIRED!" He slams his fist on the table. "Of people telling me what is and what is not a life worth living. I want to live the life I want to live. I've got a good fucking thing going. Who are you to tell me that I don't?"

"Someone with a good life. I may not seem like it, but I’m a mother. I have my caring and nurturing side. This isn’t meaningless criticism, I’m giving you a guide."

Grobber's eyes twitch and he curls up his fists. "...I'm... okay... I am telling you... I'm okay..." (edited)

She got up. "I'll see you later, Mr. Brentwood."

He breathes out, and the tension in his arms releases. "Thanks for the visit. I'll... watch... Bob."

"Thank you." She leaves.

Grobber goes to the cafeteria.

LM is sitting at a table. IO is standing on that table. Bob is near them.

Grobber walks up to Bob's able and sits.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

"TF! Good morning!" IO.

"Grobber. GROBBER! I need you for this."

4:50 PM

"Should I meet LC?"

"Hey." He says to noone in particular.

4:51 PM

"No, you shouldn't meet LC." He chuckles. "If you do, you should pretend to forget her name. And then you should bring her to RF.""

"RF?"

4:53 PM

"Has you meeting LC destroyed TAP?" I ask this to Grobber.

LM facepalms. "LC and RF are really good friends, that's about it." IO.

"It hasn't destroyed shit. TAP was over with as soon as they got here. That's the simple part of it."

"Was anyone against your meetup?"

"Uhh... no? They all kinda. Barged into my cell. Our cell, I guess."

"Looks like they wanted you to meet her. So be it."

"Ideology success!" IO.

Grobber shrugs. "Well, I did. I guess I've met everyone now."

So I guess Bob is going to visit her

Grobber will trail along.

IO leads them towards a staff only door.

Grobber listlessly enters.

((Is Bob also entering?))

yes

A guard looks at Bob suspiciously, but stops once they notice IO. IO passes the solitary confinement section. "Oh, SM's in there if you wanna meet them first. They're the coolest." (edited)

Bob meets SM.

IO shows him the specific cell. Inside is this person.

Grobber waves at a cell as he follows IO.

"Is that... blood on your face?"

"...Maybe." SM.

"What... does your name mean.....?"

"That's going to stay ambiguous for now. You can just call me SM." "Aren't they the coolest?" IO.

"Yeah." Bob goes to meet LC.

Grobber follows Bob. "Seeya SM. Thanks for... the stuff." He waves to the same cell he waved to as he entered.

"No stuff in particular! Just the general concept!" IO heads to the women's section of the prison.

Bob heads with.

5:19 PM

Bob turns back to talk to SM for a second. "Stuff?"

5:19 PM

"I'm stuff"

5:19 PM

"I'm stuff"

5:19 PM

"I'm stuff"

"Where are you going? This is very confusing!" IO. "Drugs." SM.

"Is it okay if I have some?..."

"No!" IO. "What kind? And... How will you pay me?" SM.

"I don't have anything to give to you, sorry."

5:22 PM

Bob moves on to LC.

5:23 PM

"I was thinking, y'know. Drugs have to be flammable to get them to work right? They become a gas and then they need to be inhaled. So I was thinking, what if I made a huge explosion?"

"Sounds great!" IO.

5:24 PM

They're in the women's section for real now. This woman approaches them. "...Bob? How the hell are you-?"

"You're free to call me the "Sus guy."

"Oh, shit. Do you two know each other?"

5:27 PM

"Wait, I haven't even met you. Man. Crazy."

"Yeah. She'll break me out and eventually free me from whatever this is. Like she always does." (edited)

"Considering he just got me arrested yesterday, yeah. My name is Sarah Stanley." She sighs. "I am not bailing you out! You're the one who keeps ruining my life." "...Who's she?" IO. (edited)

"What did you even get arrested for, Bob?" (edited)

Ehn/PC

"Considering he just got me arrested yesterday, yeah. My name is Sarah Stanley." She sighs. "I am not bailing you out! You're the one who keeps ruining my life." "...Who's she?" IO. (edited)

"She's probably the greatest doormat, like ever. She always comes back to me to save my ass. Considering she lived in that abusive household all those years, it's probably natural."

"Fuck you!" Sarah. "A doormat? Wow... What a failure of ideology, huh?" IO.

"Fucking gnarly dude, shit."

The Fungus

"What did you even get arrested for, Bob?" (edited)

"Nothing typical. It was just some elaborate lie made up by a lawyer. Know a Naomi Kidink by any chance?"

"Never heard of her."

"Keep it that way." Sarah.

"What did she make up about you?"

"That I killed this dude named "Bob Smith."

5:32 PM

"I GUESS that's true. I did try to kill him a couple of times. Put him in his place."

"...What do the police think your name is?"

"No, the charge is that you blew up Kerloe Fishery. You're Bob Smith you stupid fucking lunatic!" Sarah. "Actually, he's JD." IO.

"Right. I got that charge mixed up. YOU killed Bob, didn't you?"

5:34 PM

"I'm not sure on the specifics, but you're that cop killer, right? It makes sense that you would have disposed of him somehow."

"I was accused of killing Jackson Day! And I'd never kill anyone, a mild gunshot at most! Are you just trying to piss me off?" Sarah.

"So is Kidink the prosecutor that put you away?"

Ehn/PC

"I was accused of killing Jackson Day! And I'd never kill anyone, a mild gunshot at most! Are you just trying to piss me off?" Sarah.

"What? Remember when you showed me Bob Smith's body? I asked for this to be a normal situation where I call the cops so he can get a good funeral."

"No, he just keeps pretending to murder her son or whatever stupid thing pops into his head." Sarah.

Bob Smith

"What? Remember when you showed me Bob Smith's body? I asked for this to be a normal situation where I call the cops so he can get a good funeral."

"What the fuck are you talking about? Locking me in prison wasn't enough, now you're trying to gaslight me?" Sarah.

"Wait- so if she's not a prosecutor, how did she fuck you over?"

"Legal connections or whatever. Nothing in this country runs the way it should." Sarah. "Because ideology reigns supreme!" IO. "I can't even understand what that guy is trying to say." Sarah.

"He kinda just mirrors what other people say with the word ideology put in. The joke is that he doesn't actually care about anything."

5:40 PM

"Or, like- he's vaguely anti-establishment?"

"Huh? What are you talking about, TF! I care about plenty of things, like Ideology!" IO. "…Great. Did the mental asylum run out of space?" Sarah.

"Nah, that's where they send all the real criminals."

Ehn/PC

"What the fuck are you talking about? Locking me in prison wasn't enough, now you're trying to gaslight me?" Sarah.

"That's just life, isn't it? Just a bunch of people tricking themselves into something their not. People are made up of the tiny experiences they make along the way. We're not complex people by any stretch, we only steal them by others because we don't want to be stepped on in a world full of big shoes. This was Bob's fatal mistake. To believe that we're people with all these underlying problems, and that by the end of it, there will be a heart of gold inside of it all. Bob believed that everything I said about myself about the "light at the end of the tunnel" was true. Realistically, this is just common knowledge that was ingrained all our minds. Heaven, regardless if you believe or not is a thing that exists inside of people. I just wanted Bob to die happy so I knew that someone could just blindly love me no matter what."

"I hate you so much." Sarah. "Incredible ideology, JD!" IO.

"How you liking the other folks in the prison, Sarah? A bunch of weirdos, right?"

"Some girl just started ranting at me about herself for what felt like hours. Still better than Bob, probably." Sarah.

"You stand against those words your brother, Harry Stanley has said. Yet you consider yourself as a person who treats everyone like a tool. If that's so why did you hug Bob when he died? You never loved him. As you see now, you think that I am Bob Smith instead of Jackson Day and you explicitly said you hated me. This is what you feel. You just feel what ever brings you at an advantage when opportunity strikes. You hugged Bob to make it like you loved her all this time."

5:52 PM

"Poooooogggg" (edited)

5:52 PM

"THIS SHIT IS PEAK"

5:52 PM

"GET HER ASS JACKSON"

"I should've asked SM for some more shit..."

"I just… I just felt jealous! Okay? I wanted what you had for a moment. Even if I know I have to be, it’s not like I want to be alone… No one does! You just… You just- Everyone is always coddling you, Bob! Are you blind? Are you stupid? For all the shit you give people, you’re alive and unharmed. Everyone just gets handed to you on a silver spoon… And- And I just wanted to know how that felt like, okay!?" Sarah. "This is the doomed fate of all ideologyless people…" IO. "Shut the fuck up! You don’t even know who I am!" Sarah.

Grobber swallows. "Some people just get everything they need."

Ehn/PC

"Then you have precisely proved my point. People are meant to be selfish. I applaud you for stealing whatever good fortune he probably never deserved."

6:01 PM

"You know my perspective precisely, so be the person you were meant to be, and stop calling me Bob Smith because that man died and deserved it." (edited)

"You’re Bob Smith! Whether you like it or not, that’s who you are. You can’t change reality!" Sarah. "Ideology can overwrite reality itself! Shows what you know!" IO.

Ehn/PC

"You’re Bob Smith! Whether you like it or not, that’s who you are. You can’t change reality!" Sarah. "Ideology can overwrite reality itself! Shows what you know!" IO.

"If Bob Smith really is my origin, do you want me to deadname you in front of this entire prison your real name is then, Samuel Stanley?"

"…What?" Sarah. "I’m not trans, Bob."

"Interesting..." He scoots in with IO.

Ehn/PC

"…What?" Sarah. "I’m not trans, Bob."

"FUCK! so much for that."

"And even if I was, why would my name be Samuel?" Sarah. (edited)

"Well, I'm just going to tell all the trans people that-"

6:10 PM

"Wait. how does that factor into my ideology."

6:10 PM

"FUCK! No im not supposed to say this out loud."

"Let it all out!" IO.

"Fuck you! FUCK YOU! I'M JACKSON DAY FOR CHRISTS SAKE! I'M EVIL! I'M ONE NOTE! THIS IS THE PART WHERE I HAVE NOTHING!"

6:11 PM

Jackson Clutches his head. arrrggggg. ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!

"Anybody have a soda?"

"You don’t get to pretend you have nothing! The only things that have ever gone wrong around are your fault!" Sarah.

"Sarah! We can go back! We can go back! We can go back home. I've learned my lesson. I understand peoples perspectives now. I want to change the world now."

6:13 PM

"STOP IT! STOP IT! YOU'RE DEAD! YOU DIED!"

"Are you trying to mock me?" Sarah.

"I understand that things went wrong, and that I've done bad things. But its not about thinking about the past, its about looking forward to the future."

"Ugh! I’m so sick of you!" Sarah storms off.

"Good simping bro. Sorry it didn't work out."

"Wow, your ideology is so vast! I feel like I’m only starting to see your genius unfold!" IO.

"THE PAST IS EVERYTHING! YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING IN LIFE IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE MISTAKES YOU HAVE DONE WRONG!"

6:20 PM

"I may have never knew Jackson up close that was everything but the surface level, but that doesn't mean I should discard him entirely! Life is about taking the meaning from others, and spreading around to the people around you."

6:22 PM

"Bad things may have happened.... but that doesn't mean I can't learn from them, maybe bad things are supposed to happen. That's a way of life, and I can't get past it."

6:23 PM

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE! MORE BAD THINGS WILL PILE ON AND ON IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"

6:24 PM

"SARAH PRECISELY SAID THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IS YOUR FAULT! SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"

6:25 PM

"Y-yes.... but........... that doesn't mean I can.......stop it with......friendship........"

6:26 PM

"Who was ever friends with you."

"...Are you..." He looks around. "What is happening?"

"His ideology’s entering into overdrive!" IO.

"You didn't do this, did you?" (edited)

"…How would I do that?"

Grobber shrugs.

"And who said that you're in control of your own mind? Ethfan scared you to bits, didn't he?"

6:29 PM

"....right. Staying at the top... it's just a delusion..... right? There really is no top."

"I’m the top!"

"The psyche has an infinite amount of bad and just a little bit of good. You keep digging for the former, and you'll keep finding it..."

"Right. I attempted to stay on top, but I didn't do so well anyways. Pretending to be something your not doesn't... doesn't solve the problem."

Grobber shakes his head. "But thinking about all that isn't worth it. Not anymore." He smiles.

"Why aren't I happy then?"

6:34 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwYYoIgj6rw&t this tune plays in bob's head.

"You're hungry. You're tired. You're upset you're in jail. You want something you don't have. That's the long and short of it."

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH BEGIN.

Right. Everything that i have done so far, most ended pretty badly. But why is it? Bad things that Happened
Jackson Day tried to kill me.
I met Ethfan and he tried to kill me.
Jackson tried killing me again.
I got caught into the Naomi business because I lost Sam.
Ethfan tried to kill me again.
Naomi took me to prison.
I tried to kill Carolyn and Ethfan tried to kill me again.
I got into trouble with Jeff Johnner and got arrested.
I lost Sarah Stanley.
Why Did these Happen?
I had a panic attack.
I attempted to kill Jackson because of my delusions that this was my destiny.
Sam got lost because I had another panic attack.
Ethfan tried to kill me because I thought I was his father.
Naomi took me to her house because I was imagine that I killed Sam Kidink.
I tried to kill Carolyn because I thought it would save the world.
I got arrested because I screamed at Naomi because I thought it was the right thing to do. Jeff was because I didn't stay in team nine, as well as listening to my own delusions.
Sarah Stanley was lost because I was playing as someone I was not.
How did these happen. This happens not because of a community thing, but because I thought them out to myself and believed they were right. The team nine incidents were because I believed in my panic attacks. Everything in the future was delusions of grandeur that I was going to be a good person and help out people. I even talked to myself multiple times and got myself in more trouble because of it. These were unfortunately, things I couldn't help. Believing in yourself is a good thing. But why was whenever that I did it, bad? That's right. Its because of something in my mind that turns these normal interactions into bad ones. I am mentally ill. I am mentally ill.

6:55 PM

Bob makes his final deduction. "I HAVE MENTAL ILLNESSES! DID! AUTISM! ADHD! PANIC DISORDER! SCHIZOPHRENIA!" Bob lists a bunch of other mental disorders he knows.

6:55 PM

"I have... I HAVE ALL OF THESE!!!!!"

"You fool! They're called ideologies." Grobber hacks up some saliva and spits it on the ground.

"Wow… So true!"

"I am mentally ill! I never deserved a chance in life...... I am supposed to be put in a mental institution. This is why I'm supposed to be brought here!!!!"

"Wow... less than one day..." He holds his head back and laughs. "This place is fuckin'. Brutal, man..."

"Anyways, we should go see LC!"

"Yeah."

"HEH! HEH! HEH! HA! HA! HA! I'm infected! I'm infected!" (edited)

7:03 PM

Bob walks to see LC."

IO brings them to a cell. These 2 women are arguing inside.

"hee hee hee....... ha ha ha ha ha....."

"Hey, RF! Hey, uh... Coda... Kyoshi?"

"Ugh. Are you seriously going to bring new people here every day now?" Blond hair. "It’s a perfect opportunity to make an impact, but you’re too busy just being insufferable." Blue hair. "I’m just not wasting my time on things that don’t matter. My turn to be plot central is coming." Blond hair. (edited)

"In jail?"

"She thinks she could break out whenever. Though, obviously, she couldn’t. She’s just so stupid and narcissistic it’s insane. She should be talking about a real interesting topic. Like me." Blue hair.

"Yeah! My favorite ladies. How was the cafe food today?"

"Favourite ladies plural? Now, obviously I deserve the top spot, but I’m sharing it with her? I’m what world are we equal? I’m an incredibly interesting and memorable person while RF is essentially an aggressively uninteresting side character." Blue hair. "You’re literally obsessed with me and you keep acting like you hate me… Grow up and stop being such a pathetic fangirl." Presumably, RF. "Fangirl??? Are you insane, I hate you so much. The only person I’m obsessed with is me, I’m so tired of your stupid slander." Blue hair. IO suddenly runs in between them, forcing them away from each other. "Wow, what a great argument that wasn’t leading to anything in particular!"

"Oh, I see! IO wants in on the fun now." He slowly nods up and down. "Smart."

"Huh? What fun? The only fun I’m seeing is a fun ideological debate!" IO. "It wasn’t leading to anything." Blue hair. "Liar. You want me so bad it’s crazy." RF. "I’ve never said a single false thing about myself in my life." Blue hair. "That would ruin the point of making myself such an open book. Are you stupid?" "Are you stupid?" RF. "No. I’m not." Blue hair. (edited)

"Am I stupid?" (edited)

No one answers.

"Heh, fair enough. Hey, do you two know what Clyde is saying about you?"

"I don’t care. Clyde will have to learn to appreciate me when we talk. I’m not going to waste brain space on him, because my brain is only ever thinking about me." Blue hair.

"lol this dynamic so hot"

7:23 PM

"preview"

The blue haired girl turns to Bob. "Is that…?" IO makes a shushing motion. Blue haired girl approaches Bob and firmly plants her hands onto his shoulders, staring directly into his eyes. "My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. I created you." IO facepalms.

"preview"

7:28 PM

"is this woman real" (edited)

7:28 PM

"or is this another hallucination"

"Totally fake. Totally made up." IO. "She’s not real." RF. "I’m the realest person you will ever meet." Kyoko.

"Well I have DID or some shit so i guess ill talk to her"

7:30 PM

"preview"

7:30 PM

"Its wasting no one's time"

7:30 PM

"But myself"

7:30 PM

Jackson turns to the delusion "You created me lol" (edited)

"What the hell is preview?"

"That’s not what DID is or does. Personally, I’m a single person but I have so much to say about myself I may as well be 20 people." Kyoko. "But yes, I did create you. I’m like your mother, but more interesting than whatever the biological one has going on." "I’m disowning him." RF.

"fuckin"

7:33 PM

"who did you have sex with"

7:33 PM

"preview"

7:33 PM

"preview"

The Fungus

"What the hell is preview?"

"It’s like… A thing he says when something funny happens. Real cool kids get it." IO utterly fails to replicate some kind of gang sign.

"Did any of you create me?"

Bob Smith

"who did you have sex with"

"I didn’t create you in that sense. I mean in a real sense, I created the personality that exists in your head and the face you wear. To answer the question in a literal sense though, my list of past sexual partners includes-" Kyoko. IO covers her mouth. "Nope, that’s enough!"

"IO"

7:36 PM

"its part of her ideology"

7:36 PM

"preview"

"You've had sex? No fuckin' way, dude. All you fucks are virgins." Grobber chuckles to himself.

"i've had sex with myself"

Ehn/PC

"do explain"

"You’re one of TAP's last projects. We cut you up, erased everything… And then designed our own person to replace you with. I made you, Bob. Before me, there was only Nathan." Kyoko. "Well, I feel like… I feel like FB’s probably more responsible, but- That’s all besides the point because this is just a total fabrication, right JD?" IO.

"tbh"

7:41 PM

"it was obvious i was artificial from the start"

7:41 PM

"preview"

"Yeah-" He nudges Bob. "For the record, these bozos somehow have a hand in the events that started everything in the beginning."

Ehn/PC

"so what about nathan"

"I don’t care about him. He doesn’t matter. What matters is that I created you. And from now on, you can’t live a single moment of your life without thinking about me." Kyoko.

"lol guess your my mom now"

7:44 PM

"You know a fb"

7:44 PM

"Whats he about"

"Man... IO... is it usually this sad around here?"

"Sad? Where are the sad people? I’ll cheer them up with the power of ideology!" IO. "I don’t care about FB. Also I’m not your mom, I’m your creator. Think of me as more divine, it fits my ego better and makes me feel happier. Since I created you, I think you owe me a lot here so you should listen to everything I have to say until you can only think about me." Kyoko. "Alternatively… You could also just think about ideology!" IO. "Everyone’s got a one note gimmick these days…" RF. "I have so many notes." Kyoko.

"I'm mentally ill lol i kill people"

"That’s basically what ideology’s all about!" IO.

"Was.... was this all everything that my life led to....."

7:55 PM

"Everything that happened in my life, my quest for my identity.... only to realize that it all belonged to someone else..."

7:55 PM

"HEY! Don't talk to yourself like that, me!"

7:57 PM

"You're going to let this woman take control of your life? Our lives are worth more than the devotion of a singular person!"

Kyoko smiles, watching this.

"lol sorry i just have split personalities"

7:57 PM

"preview"

7:59 PM

"Fuck you. FUCK YOU! I'M NOT GOING TO LET SOMEONE BE BETTER THAN ME!" Jackson attempts to punch and knock down Kyoko.

((Roll))

"Daaamnn." He gets out of the way.

((4))

It misses. "I’m not very good at fighting, so that means you’re probably terrible at it." Kyoko. "I’m not helping you. This is what you get for constantly putting yourself out there." RF. "TF, go get LM!" IO.

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Jackson attempts to punch and knock down Kyoko.

Grobber walks off casually to IO's cell.

"FUCK! RESTRAIN HIM!" (edited)

((Roll but also channel split))

go here

Don'tAtmey

((Roll but also channel split))

Jump

Go to message!

8:08 PM

go here

Bob Smith

((20))

Jump

Go to message!

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber walks back through the door, then goes to the gym.

LM is practicing boxing on a punching bag.

"Uhh... Bob Smith started... erm... fighting Kyoko. IO asked me to get you."

"God dammit… Didn’t I warn them about that?" He starts taking off his boxing gloves. "Oh, and how are you? Since we fought and all that."

"...I dunno. My cellmate messed me up some more last night. At some point it all blurs together."

8:15 PM

"...the stuff SM got me helps."

"Try not to show it to IO. He acts like even more of a narc than the guards, sometimes." LM.

"...yeah. I think now that Bob's here he's found himself a new fixation."

He puts the gloves down. "Keep your head up. Things’ll get better." He rushes off to the women’s section.

"Don't mess him up too bad! I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on him!"

8:20 PM

He hangs back, launching a single punch at the punching bag.

((Roll))

11.

It's a decent punch.

"Huh." He stands in minor awe of the physical force he exerted on the bag, before rushing back to the women's wing.

Kyoko is knocked out, while LM, IO, and RF stand around. Bob isn't here. "He kinda ran away." IO shrugs. "I warned you and you didn't listen. Use your head. I shouldn't have to do it for you." LM. "I did use my head! I used it to be unabashedly me! That's the power of ideology!" IO.

Grobber does a

face. "Are we gonna... get in trouble?"

"Meh, who cares?" IO. LM groans. "I hate being the only sensible person on this team. I barely get my own time, I'm so busy babysitting you." "SM's pretty sensible too!" IO. "In what world?" LM. "...At least it's nice to make Kyoko shut up for once, right?" RF. "Yeah." LM. "For sure!" IO.

Grobber solemnly nods. "Dude... I gotta find Bob... if he gets into some shit..."

8:34 PM

"Nah, that won't happen."

8:34 PM

"Where'd he go?"

"No clue! We'll have to use his ideology as a guide!" IO.

"RF?"

She doesn't acknowledge him.

Is she taller or shorter than Grobber?

Shorter.

He approaches her and leans down. He talks in such a way that spit is hitting her face. "Do you want me out of your face? Point in which way Bob went. We'll all be outta here right then."

She doesn't react.

He spits in her mouth and stands up. "Fine. I'll find him." He walks off towards the men's wing.

((Roll))

17.

((Give Sent a bit to catch up sorry))

Bob is unconscious in their cell. He has clearly attempted to make a makeshift noose and failed.

Grobber cuts down in the noose and sits down in the cell, watching Bob. (edited)

He never managed to hang it up, it's just dangling from his neck.

Oh. Wow.

9:28 PM

Well, he takes it off of Bob's neck.

Bob continues to be unconscious.

He stares at Bob and gives him a weary smile.

IO walks into the cell. "Well, that seems like it went well!"

"...Yeah."

"What do you think of the newest member of TAP?"

Grobber shrugs. "Pretty much the same as the rest of us."

"Yes! Ideology success!"

"Hope he mellows out soon..."

9:35 PM

"For his own sake, at least."

"I hope not! You mellowed out way too quick yesterday."

He shrugs. "First day of the rest of my life. If my luck holds out, it might be the last, too."

"Why... Is that lucky?"

"The rest of it... is just a slow, willing death. Might as well get it over with." He leans his head back.

"Well... That's a pretty bad way to look at it. Don't you know that every day is a good day?"

Grobber shrugs. "Feels like a lot of work to turn every day into a good day."

"You've just gotta believe!"

He leans his head back against the wall and closes his eyes.

((End session))

((Saturday))

, can't do the week after btw

Bob Smith wakes up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

"...Bob." Grobber turns to Bob solmenly, an indescribable mix of downtrodden mourning and sheer tiredness on his face. "...You awake? I need you lucid for this."

?????

3:23 PM

"....."

3:23 PM

"DO you need anything?"

"This is pretty serious, man. Is your head on straight? I don't want you to freak out."

"Morning, JD!" IO.

"Did something happen?"

3:24 PM

"Did something happen"

"Kyoko... she's dead, Jackson. You killed her."

3:25 PM

"She got a hemmorage on the back of her head when she fell and died on impact."

"Huh!?" IO.

"... Don't fuck with me...."

"...You know what that looks like, right? You illegally entered into a part of the prison you weren't allowed in, and then killed a female inmate who was much smaller than you."

((WAS THIS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN))

3:27 PM

"I don't think a single punch from me is enough for me to kill someone like that. I'm not that strong."

3:27 PM

"My.. my plans always fail!!! I'm not supposed to hurt people like that!"

"You know a way out of this place? There are people looking for you, dude. Have you seen Little Man? He's pissed. Last time I saw him fight someone, they got taken away on a stretcher. His face looked like a banana someone had stepped on."

"I'm... I;m not supposed to attack people on impulse!!!!" "No... no!!!!"

3:29 PM

"Fuckin"

3:30 PM

"You were planning to kill yourself"

3:30 PM

"right"

3:30 PM

"Preview"

3:30 PM

Bob? Jackson? rushes out to find LIttle Man. (edited)

"A description of my demise as mere suicide is too pedestrian for my-"

3:30 PM

"Christ." Grobber sighs and follows Jackson.

"I can kill him... I can kill him!!" Jackson.

3:32 PM

"Is it well known that Kyoko has died..?"

"Heh, imagine ever being deluded enough to think that! Would take a profound kind of fool."

3:32 PM

"Well known? In the girls wing, probably."

IO follows but still remains strangely quiet.

3:33 PM

((Roll to look for him ig))

Bob turns to IO. "Please. PLEASE. Don't remember this. Remember the good times I had with you... please. Please remember the Bob that appreciated you you were!!!"

3:35 PM

((9))

Bob can’t find Little Man.

"The who that appreciated who we were? Bob? Who's that?"

"Well, you know. I have DID....."

"The ID? What ID? I didn't get one. Was the warden supposed to give me one when he took my blood sample for onboarding?"

"Hey Bob, you know that I'm completely alive and well. This is all one huge prank for you to accept me again."

3:41 PM

"Right. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?.. I didn't kill her!"

3:42 PM

"No. Shut up! SHUT UP!"

3:42 PM

Bob searches for Little Man.

"Time's running out, Bob... if you have anything you want to get off your chest before you die, I'm all ears."

"You're nothing but a failure Bob. None of this should have happened if you just listsened to us."

3:46 PM

"We really only wanted to help you. Really, this entire bullshit could have been avoided if you just stayed at home."

3:46 PM

"I......I have no last words."

3:47 PM

Bob searches for little man.

3:47 PM

Bob tries to actually search if Kyoko is dead.

3:51 PM

Bob goes to the place where Kyoko died.

"Your last act... to look at the victim. You're a sick bastard." He starts to chuckle. (edited)

"I...... I...... hahaHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

3:58 PM

"I am a sick bastard, aren't I?"

3:59 PM

"No, stop! He's....."

Bob isn’t allowed into the women's section.

"Oh that's unfortunate, Bob. It's alright anyway. She looked mostly peaceful, way too peaceful for my taste."

Bob desperately searches for little man.

((Roll))

((13))

"It's okay, Bob. I know you can take him. You'll beat the shit out of him and then get out of here. This little story will be all over and done with."

You’re sure at this point that he’s not in this section of the prison.

"Shame. Must be giving testimony on what you've done."

"FUCK!!!!"

4:13 PM

"To the cafeteria." (edited)

"I've seen him mad, but I haven't seen him that mad before,"

4:13 PM

"...We could always ask Clyde about it? I'm sure he would love you."

4:13 PM

Grobber follows Bob to the cafeteria.

There’s no one in the cafeteria at this time.

"Great plan! A secluded place where you can escape from. This was obviously your intention."

4:14 PM

"How astute, king."

Bob searches for a knife.

They only have the cheap plastic kind.

Bob searches for his surroundings at the caferteria.

It sure is a cafeteria.

"PLEASE! GIVE ME SOMETHING! KILL ME!"

"Are you sure you don't want to see Clyde? That could be fun!"

"LITTLE MAN!!! WHERE THE FUCK AREYOU!!!"

4:21 PM

"...Is Clyde here?..."

"I know where his cell is."

"SHOW IT TO ME!"

Grobber wears a glib grin as he leads Bob to Clyde's cell. "Yoo-hoo! Visitor!"

Bob searches for a reaction.

4:26 PM

"..CLyde... I killed soimeone. Do you know where Little Man is?"

Clyde is in his cell. "Oh, god… What now?"

"I have a friend you would like!"

"I have absolutely no interest in speaking to Nathan." Clyde. (edited)

"Tell me where Little Man is! I... I need to see him!"

"Why would I keep track of that?" Clyde.

"I don't know!!! Where did you last see him?!!!"

"I haven’t seen him. Why is this being made my problem?" Clyde.

"Fuck you... just fuck you!!!!!!!" Bob runs off.

"Because I made it your problem."

4:39 PM

Grobber follows him. "You got lucky~"

"I'm going to fucking kill you one day for this." Jackson slams on Clyde's cell.

4:39 PM

Bob runs back into the caferteria where all the plasic knives were.

Just assume Grobber is continuing to follow Bob.

IO is also following. Clyde is ignoring everyone.

"Nobody interrupt me."

4:47 PM

Bob shoves all the plastic knives down his throat to choke himself out.

Grobber sits down and yawns. "Laaaaame."

"Okay, stop it JD! This is an ideology failure!" IO tries to stop him.

Bob kicks hjm away.

((Roll))

(915))

5:09 PM

((15))

IO takes the knives from you. "Stop it! You’re supposed to engage in ideology, not whatever this is! Unleash your inner ideology, stop suppressing it!"

"THIS IS MY IDEOLOGY!"

5:16 PM

"When mentally ill people like me end up doing something, bad, they will go to far. Which is why I have to stop it, to save society."

"Bad things are good!"

"I don't think bad things are good! That's my ideology!"

"Oh yeah? What are they then!?"

"WHY? WHY? DOESN'T THIS WORLD JUST LET ME KILL MYSELF ALREADY?!!!!"

5:26 PM

"I DESERVE TO DIE! I'M NOT GOOD AT ANYTHING!"

"You sure were good at killing Kyoko. Only one punch..."

"People aren’t born to die! I just lost LC, don’t make me lose you JD! You’re one of us! I don’t care what you’ve done, we’re all criminals! But I can’t let another ideology die out! You’ve gotta live! Live to the fullest! People were born to live life to the very end, and propel their ideologies to the peak!"

"ALL I HAVE DONE FOR THIS ENTIRE TIME EVER SINCE I JOINED INTO THIS STUPID THING IS ACT INCOHERENT!!!"

5:30 PM

"this is why I have to talk like this"

5:30 PM

"preview"

5:30 PM

"This is why I have to change myself to look better."

5:31 PM

"This is why the people in my head have to talk to me."

5:33 PM

"I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING INTERESTING!!!! I'M JUST HERE BECAUSE SOMETHING MANDATES FOR ME TO EXIST!!!!"

"That thing is the beautiful power of ideology!"

"I HAVEN'T LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THIS EXPERIENCE!!!!!! EVERY THING I LEARN IS GONE!!!!!!! I CAN'T CHANGE!!!!!! ALL BECAUSE I'M INCOHERENT!!!!!!!!!!!"

"You don’t have to change! You’ve just gotta live!"

"SO LET ME DIE!!!!! LET ME DIE!!!!!!! ANYTHING I'M DOING CORRECTLY IS JUST SOME KIND OF LIE PEOPLE MADE UP ABOUT ME!!!!!!!!!!! SO I CAN LIVE IN THIS STUPID PLOT!!!!" (edited)

5:37 PM

"Nathan... that was real wasn't it. He was real. He actually touched peoples hearts and made things better. He made me actually interesting."

5:37 PM

"WHY CAN'T IT HAPPEN AGAIN!!! FB!!! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!! THIS IS YOU FAULT!!! FUCK YOU!!! FUCK YOU!!!!!" Bob middle fingers the sky.

5:37 PM

"DROP ME OUT OF THIS! DROP ME OUT OF THIS!"

5:38 PM

"LET ME SEE HEAVEN AND LET ME LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER LIVES THAT WERE BETTER THAN MY PITIFUL EXISTENCE!!!!!!!"

5:38 PM

"Hav, Grobber, Sam...they fufilled something far better than I could...."

"We have."

"I don’t think… FB isn’t god or anything. He’s a human, which makes him even better! We may see things the exact opposite way, but we’re both people who believe in the power of ideology itself! Ideology Ooooooveeeeerdriiiiiiive!"

5:43 PM

Yes, I can comprehend dramatic irony as well. Though Bob Smith is more ideologically correct than IO, as intended, so this argument is rather inaccurate.

"Are you going to swallow those knives or not? You're kind of just talking at the moment."

Bob attempts to swallow the knives so he chokes.

5:49 PM

"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

"Stop eating knives!" IO responds by hitting Bob with the knife container, knocking him out.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

IO whispers to Grobber. "When did… She die?"

Grobber sighs at IO. "Have you not unlocked the telling Bob Kyoko is dead ideology?"

"I have collected every ideology."

"Whoops- I didn't really think that one through." IO laughs awkwardly, before trying to pull knives out of Bob's throat.

Grobber shrugs. "He keeps on doing the same thing over and over... imagine being stuck in a loop like that."

"That's the power of ideology! I believe in the power of ideology every single day! You believe in the power of fungi every single day! The second we stray from that, we've ruined our ideologies!"

"Fungus? Nah, I've left that life behind me. You see the bricks that make up these walls? They're solid, and the cracks are filled with mortar. Nothing can grow here, IO. No irritating plant, no rabid animal, no dismal fungus." (edited)

6:04 PM

"The Fungus comes about from people's choices. No gods exist in a world without people, after all. And here, there is no need for god, including the Fungus. These walls are our gods now- they give us purpose, tell us how to live, when to eat, and when to bed. There is no worshipping anything else. It's perfect."

"Even now... I believe in the power of the human spirit!" IO lifts Bob up with difficulty.

Grobber moves over and helps IO with Bob. "Look upon him who does not waver from his cause, no matter how insipid and ultimately irrelevant, and you shall find in him the meaning of dull-witted. An ant could fulfill impossible tasks endlessly for its queen, and yet no matter how much I've looked into ones eyes, I have found nothing there behind them."

"Tch..." IO smirks like Grobber's said something stupid. "That's because the ideology isn't stored in the eyes, is it?"

"...Well, then I suppose you wouldn't be interested in what I see in yours."

"If I had to guess... I'd say a reddish orange! Haha-Ha!"

((No session))

The Fungus

Grobber sighs at IO. "Have you not unlocked the telling Bob Kyoko is dead ideology?"

((YOU SON OF A BITCH))

7:22 PM

((Well, IO is a son of a bitch))

((Why are you reading out of order!!!!!))

7:22 PM

((The surprise would’ve been funnier))

((Sorry!!!! I knew something was off about that anyways))

7:27 PM

((Seeing the bizarre shit people are doing when I fall unconscious for whatever reason Is going to be so good)) (edited)

((Saturday))

"If I had to guess... I'd say a reddish orange! Haha-Ha!"

"Hhhhaaaagh....." Grobber sighs as he sits down on the bench in his cell.

2:22 PM

"Sure. That works."

IO leaves to drag Bob off to the infirmary.

Grobber rests his chin on his hands. "Never even got to get the payoff... I guess I'll tell him later."

LM walks into his cell. "…Hey."

Grobber turns his head up, looking him in the face. "Hey."

"Where’s Nathan?"

"Went to the infirmary. He was trying to kill himself swallowing on pens. IO took him."

"…Of course." He sighs. "At least that’s dealt with."

"Was he always like this?"

"IO?"

"Nathan."

"I wouldn’t know."

"Hm." He rubs at his swollen eyes. "I don't know if I'm even getting an intentional dripfeed at this point."

"You don’t want to get involved with that stuff, trust me."

"What would they do? Put me in super-jail?"

"This isn’t exactly government stuff."

"I'm shocked."

2:43 PM

He leans back, chewing on a piece of lip. "They're trying to pull me back out. I don't want to leave."

"You have an out and you want to stay here?"

"I don't have much out there, man. It's... I'm happy in here, and the world is better with me in here than me outside."

He sits down across from Grobber. "I get you there at least. Outside, I’ve got no one."

His eye twitches. "It would be easy to get out. They don't have eyes on us. They're not careful. But I think all of us know that this is where we belong."

"No. I know for a fact most of them want to escape. They’re just waiting for an excuse. Probably not even the same excuse. But when your goals are as vague and insane as 'killing god' it’s hard for me to guess."

Grobber shakes his head. "Some people don't know what they have, I guess."

"Or maybe we just don’t all want the same things."

"...Yeah. Just animals. There's only so many bananas... we all just want as many pieces as possible."

"I don’t particularly like bananas."

"We've all got our shit, like, our vices, dude. We can pretend to be in 'control' of them but that's just denial. There's only so much good in the world."

"I don’t really think there’s such a thing as good or evil. I’ve just got people I care for. That’s all I’m on this earth for."

"Yeah, well... everybody goes, for one reason or another. I hope you manage to find a way out of here before they all leave you."

"I’m planning to stick it out to the end. I’m not too impatient."

"Then you'll be left alone, and once you are, you'll have nobody to see you go."

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

"Wasn't meant for you at all." He looks back down.

"Do you think you’ve got no one?"

"...I've got people, but they're not 'people.' We're vengeful spirits of the undead. Just ghosts. We can't barely touch or see anything anymore. Just waiting."

"No family? Friends? Who was trying to drag you out of here then?"

"A lawyer, paying me crumbs to keep an eye on... 'Nathan." My freedom is worth that little."

"A lawyer's got his eye on him?"

"Naomi Kidink. Pretty good, apparently."

"Ah, her."

"She seems to be obsessed with getting me out so I can suffer. Not the best pitch, if I'm honest."

"People who have everything never seem to get those who don’t."

"Yeah, well, we're all people at the end of the day. Funny how we can still manage to all have our shitty struggles."

"Life’s weird like that, I suppose."

"Yeah, well. Don't have to think about it, that's the benefit we have."

"…Wanna go for another match? Boxing?"

Grobber casts an errant glance at LM. "Sure."

LM heads to the gym.

Grobber follows him.

He starts putting on boxing gloves, and tosses a pair to Grobber.

Grobber attempts to put them on.

"Show me your stance."

Grobber backs up from LM a little bit, putting his hands in front of his face, peeking his two eyes out above.

((FUCK sorry))

5:51 PM

LM gets into position. "Hit me."

Grobber throws a punch at him.

((Roll))

13.

"Decent punch, but try to put your whole body behind it."

"H-h-yeah..." He nods.

"Like this." LM hits Grobber really hard.

"Gu-guh!" His whole weight is knocked back, and he takes a moment to breathe, before rearing up for another punch and launching it at LM.

((Roll))

Kind of a weak punch. "Try again." LM punches Grobber again.

Grobber leans back, baring his teeth into a fiendish grin before punching LM.

6:06 PM

Slightly stronger, but still weak. "Again." He punches Grobber.

Grobber spits on the ground, takes a moment to look at LM, trying to see something, before his eyes twist in anger and he punches him again.

6:20 PM

LM is hit hard enough to fall over onto the floor from the punch. "Ugh!"

Grobber immediately rushes forward and leans on him, punching him again.

((Roll))

18.

Grobber hits him, hard. "Good hits." LM.

Grobber hits him again. "YEAH! I'VE GOT YOU NOW!"

6:38 PM

18.

As Grobber keeps hitting him, LM kicks his legs out from under him, causing Grobber to fall over as well.

"Doesn't matter! D-doesn't even matter!"

"You're good. I'm impressed." He sits up.

Grobber is about to hit him again, before he sighs, and catches his breath before sitting up.

He holds his arm out for a fist bump.

Grobber gives him a fist bump, and smiles.

"Before I met TAP, it was just me and my old man. Now I've got everything I could need. Funny how things change, huh?"

Grobber leans back. "Yeah... life is strong, and complicated. You can't swim against that kind of current. Maybe if we just let it take us where it wants, we can find out how to be happy there."

"...Funny. I knew a guy who thought like that, and he made it sound much worse."

"The human mind has always been designed to be good at tricking human minds."

7:34 PM

"You can make the same thing sound completely different, and it won't even be a lie."

"Is that so?"

"Definitely. Especially because people want to trust each other."

"Do you think there’s someone out there who agrees with IO on everything, but makes it sound normal?"

"Yeah, for sure. People nowadays are so cynical, and everybody is just trying to survive. It's refreshing to see someone believe in something, and supporting a cause feels good."

"Not a bad attempt."

"I've yet to meet anyone as fanatical in... anything as IO is. Weird kid."

"EL's pretty fanatical too, but instead of believing in anything she’s just obsessed with being evil."

"Yeah, FB, DC, and her are still out there. Interesting."

"DC's nothing too noteworthy. FB's like you, kind of. Except instead of doing surgery, you take drugs all day."

"It's a living."

"Sort of."

"Well," He smiles. "It doesn't have to be anymore."

"Have you ever had a job?"

"..." He's silent for a while.

"Too direct?"

"After my parents passed, my friends and I went to this apartment. There were a bunch of us. Too many for the house, but still not a ton, you know? Well, we would all get together and we would have sex. A bunch of sex. It was this disgusting, orgy house. We were constantly hopped up. It was insane." He swallows. "We had this one girl who could do web design. We made a bunch of webpages, pretending to be local joints. It was all fabricated. But, we hosted it off of this server. Well, when people would order, we would send it in to the real place's webpage. But we overcharged everyone by a couple bucks. We probably spent like a thousand bucks up front to promote it to the top of google, but we made thousands. Except eventually, that girl, Ophelia, left. Then things all dispersed."

((I'm so good at this))

9:34 PM

"...I guess that's kind of like a job."

"It was something, I guess. There's people doing worse shit for more money in the country."

"Not like us TAP members could disagree with you there."

"What does TAP stand for, anyway?"

"The Advanced Participants."

"Did you know all of them before the project?"

"No. That's where we met."

"So what brought you to it? You don't seem so invested anymore."

"They wanted to ensure security. I didn't have much work after my career ended. It worked out."

"..." He sighs. "You think you'll ever get out of here?"

"Don't really see the point."

"....Yeah, because you got your people, and your art, right here."

10:16 PM

"Me too, man. Me too."

"If the guys on the outside need me, maybe I will. But while I’ve got people on the inside, an escape simply isn’t worth the risk." LM. "Are you saying you actively want to be in prison?" Clyde walked into the gym.

"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Hey Clyde."

"Hmph. I can respect that, I suppose. Wilful self-quarantine. Let the normal people be free of you." Clyde. (edited)

"...Normal. And I guess that means you want out?"

"Of course. Unfortunately, I won’t be eligible for parole. But I intend to return to the honest and simple life as quickly as possible." Clyde. "You really think anyone will want to hire you with your criminal record?" LM. "A minor setback. I’m a normal man. They’ll realize this quickly enough, and move past that." Clyde.

"What were you convicted of, Clyde?"

"Conspiracy to commit a dozen or so crimes, like kidnapping and so on. I don’t personally care much to remember the charges, but I was the most innocent party in all of them." Clyde. "You voluntarily joined TAP. Stop trying to pretend you’re better than us." LM. "Yes, that’s correct. I volunteered. Instead of letting stupid and petty personal goals control me, I approached life with an objective gaze and determined that the optimal path was to join your gang of lunatics. An error I now deeply regret, and have committed my life to fixing." Clyde.

"Well, I'm sure that sentiment will help you wherever you end up." Grobber smiles at Clyde.

"I don’t want your approval." Clyde. "Then why did you come bother us." LM. "I want to exercise in peace, so I came to tell you to get out of here. Is that simple enough?" Clyde.

"You didn't seem to have a problem voluntarily joining our conversation earlier." Grobber chuckles a little bit.

"That was because I possess social skills, unlike you 2. I understood how a conversation should properly flow. I would never compromise the principles of normality in order to accomplish something so short term." Clyde.

"The principles of normality... can you lay down a few others for us?"

"They’re not worthy of the mentally ill, and they’re based in unarguable and easily intuitive common sense. If you deserved to know them, you would know them." Clyde.

"Maybe I wasn't asking for me!" His chuckles turn into full laughter.

"Well, then I’ll give you another principle. Avoid all illnesses, even mental. They spread like a plague and infect the sane, destroying them with their personal insanity. If your friend wishes to be normal, I recommend they stay far away from you." Clyde. "I feel pretty sane, Clyde, and I hang around IO all year long." LM. "You’re a violent man obsessed with protecting dangerous parasites. If I had to guess, narcissistic personality disorder, sociopathy, and psychopathy are likely diseases as well. Some kind of attachment disorder, perhaps?" Clyde.

"And do these diseased people... are they able to tell that they're diseased?"

"I wouldn’t know. I’m not a psychologist." Clyde. "You draw the line there?" LM.

"You know, I feel like if diseased people knew they were diseased, they would try to aright themselves. I'd reckon that the worst of them, they have no clue they've fallen into their illness. You agree?"

"Potentially." Clyde.

"And you know what? I'd say, that if you get it really, really bad, your whole world becomes askew. You lose touch with the people around you. And then... you're so far off the norm, you start to see everybody around you as off balance. Your frame of reference becomes so offbase everyone else seems like they're already down the rabbit hole."

"Are you trying to imply that I’m more mentally ill than you are?" Clyde.

"I don't know about mentally ill, but I don't know, you're definitely in denial."

"It’s nothing so complex. I just value normalcy, and the abnormal crowd has locked me in jail for it." Clyde.

"You're in jail for valuing normalcy?

"Kyoko mentioned him in those files because he kept harassing her." LM. "She kept harassing me. Do not misattribute fault. Do you seriously believe it’s physically possible for a situation to arise where 'Kyoko' is involuntarily in a conversation?" Clyde.

"Ah, what a shame. Well, it's not like there was anybody less normal than you that got left out of all this..." He gives a wry smile to Clyde.

"Correct." Clyde.

"What meal will you get when you get out of jail, Clyde?"

"I don’t want to engage in small talk with you. Please get out of my way." Clyde. (edited)

"Didn't stop you already!" Grobber gets out of the way. "There was something I wanted to do solo anyway."

"Good luck on that, then." LM walks out.

Grobber attempts to go to solitary confinement.

He’s let in.

Grobber walks up to Ed Blythe and sits down.

He doesn’t react.

"Can I tell you a story, pal?"

No response.

"Well, I have this friend, right?"

11:45 PM

"And my friend, well, she has another friend. They're obsessed with each other. In love."

11:45 PM

"And I've seen it, they love each other very much."

11:46 PM

"Let's call my friend 'Jill' and her friend 'Morgan.'"

11:46 PM

"But Jill, you know, she wants to take care of her own happiness. Good for her! She's taking responsibility."

11:46 PM

"Jill finds another person, that she PAYS MONEY to give her advice. To give her counsel- to make her happier, you know?"

11:48 PM

"Well, this other person, she starts to tell Jill really mean, awful things. Terrible things. And Jill, she starts to get sadder."

11:49 PM

"You know, things are still alright, at least she has Morgan, but this other person seems to take pleasure in torturing Jill. Tormenting her, even. Saying one thing one week, saying another thing the next."

11:49 PM

"Keeping her on the line just enough to see her a little happier... then sweeping out the rug."

11:49 PM

"And eventually, Jill can't take it. Morgan hates seeing her so sad."

11:50 PM

"Well, then you know what happens?"

11:50 PM

"Morgan gets murdered. Ice cold. In her home. Nothing is taken."

11:51 PM

"But you know what's funny? The other person, the one supposed to be helping Jill, she seems to know too much. She's associated with people connected to the crime scene. She knows shit."

11:51 PM

"And now, I've seen Jill. She's miserable. On the verge of suicide, or hurting others."

11:51 PM

"She could've been happy. I couldv'e seen her be happy."

11:52 PM

"Do you have any clue what this other person's name is, Mr.?"

He doesn’t answer.

"It's Carolyn Blythe. You know a Carolyn Blythe?"

"No." He simply responds.

"Are you Ed Blythe?"

"I am. And she’s my daughter. But no… She’s not your other person."

"Gotcha, okay. Well, just to clarify, the person I'm speaking of wears a pink sweater and glasses, is a therapist, and works at (He repeats her office's address.)"

"My daughter has many, many, faults… But she doesn’t hurt people like that. She fixes them. …Even when she shouldn’t."

"Fixing them to what end? What does it mean when someone is 'fixed'?"

He doesn’t answer.

"Does your daughter not agree with your ideals? Is she a member of Edlightenment?"

Still silence.

"It's a shame. Well, when I see her, I'll let her know that her father holds her actions in such poor regard that he simply refused to believe it. Have any other message you'd like me to pass along?"

"Keep yourself safe from her."

Grobber gulps. "Y-yes sir."

12:11 AM

He walks out, visibly shaken, then goes to the infirmary.

Bob and Kyoko are both in beds, passed out. Bob has been handcuffed to his bed.

Grobber looks at Bob, nodding.

12:14 AM

Does Kyoko look too bad?

She looks fine.

Grobber tries to wake Bob up.

((End session))

((Saturday, unless BanzaiAlex hasn’t caught up by then))

((banzaialex has to come to this session please...))

((Cancelling the session because Alex will not catch up in time))

ok. i cannot do the session in 10 days

((im going to collapse this campaign))

((It gives you more time to catch up on your reading…))

((No session this week))

((Saturday))

Bob wakes up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

Grobber watches over Bob.

"Need knives now!"

"...Hey Bob, look over there." Grobber gestures towards Kyoko.

Bob looks where he is told to look hoping it will provide a way to kill himself. (edited)

The person in the other bed is Kyoko, alive and well. She’s still unconscious.

"Worst mystery ever solved but doesn't matter when I need to kill myself!"

"Bob, you're doing a really bad job at faking mental illness."

"another reason to kill myself preview!"

"Hahah! The machinations of the deceiver have bespoiled the puny mind of the frivolous! Even after the schemes have been revealed, those with a broken mind retain it. Truly pathetic. This is not your punishment for attacking me, no: this is your punishment for leaving me alive."

2:28 PM

"Sometimes my power frightens even me."

Bob tries to kill himself by slamming his head against the wall which obviously doesn't work.

Grobber watches with a glib grin on his face.

Bob eventually collapses because this eventually tires him out.

2:47 PM

"Shit couldn't kill myself!"

2:52 PM

Bob tries waking up Kyoko.

Bob is restrained in the bed and cannot move.

"Wake up now!"

Grobber smiles at Bob. "I'm already awake!"

"I wasnt talking to you!"

"I'm sorry."

Bob keeps yelling to try to wake Kyoko up.

"…Huh?" Kyoko slowly wakes up.

"Kyoko, be careful! RF is right outside looking for you!"

"Did you really have to distract me from my dream because of her?" She gets off the bed. "I was dreaming about a world where everything single person was me. Of course they started stealing my spotlight, so I had to kill them all."

"I woke you up because I wanted to apologize for being a worthless assaulter! Preview"

"Apology refused! You’ll have to spend the rest of your life worshipping me to make up for it."

"Bob, stop trying so hard dude, I know what you told me before, but she's a lost cause, she'll never like you like that."

"Top 10 things to do 10 worship 9 worship 1057864: worship Preview"

"Clearly he’s just overwhelmed with information about me. A lot of people are, but I keep going." Kyoko.

"Ah, what another perfect day in Shelk Prison."

"I have things to get back to. If you want more from me you should follow me right now. I have a lot to say." Kyoko leaves.

Bob is stuck to the bed so he does not leave.

Grobber looks at Bob. "Don't go anywhere!" He follows Kyoko.

((you should roll to break out))

Bob tries to break out.

((Roll))

3:47 PM

((Split channel though))

((What do I type to role in that channel?)) (edited)

(( /r and click on the thing. It’s 1d20))

go here

Don'tAtmey

Bob is alone again.

Jump

Go to message!

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Kyoko walks to the female ward.

"I have really bad news about what happened while you were out. Little Man DIED!"

She doesn’t react and keeps walking.

"And SM EXPLODED! And everybody decided they like CLYDE more than YOU!"

She stops and slowly turns around. "…Clyde!?"

"Yeah! Clyde! They said they were taken by his beauty."

"What kind of loser is attracted to men? Obviously they should focus on very attractive beauties like me or RF. But mostly me." Kyoko.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Kyoko. If there's anything I can do or say at this instant that could help you I will. I guess gay guys are just in fashion at the moment."

"Fashion is temporary. I am forever, you know?"

"When your flesh is gone, how will you make them remember your name?"

"I’m unforgettable."

"Of course, of course! Absolutely so, Kyoko. But, just a little problem. Outside of the jail, neither me nor any of my friends have heard of you. You've got to do some work. Spread your influence far and wide so more people know your name."

Ehn/PC

"I’m unforgettable."

"I agree!" Bob yells out.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / bob-and-grobber

"And how would you suggest that?"

"You ever heard of Twitter?"

"If I haven’t heard of it it obviously doesn’t matter."

"See, Kyoko, take it from someone who built a movement. If you wanna sway people, you can't, like, expect them to get it, you know? Not everybody has the taste or eye to see the good stuff. If you really want to build a following, you gonna lean down a little, translate the pure message into something a little easier for the common folk to understand."

"Would an ancient one translate herself in order to make mortals tremble? I’m like that, but more interesting. And cuter. And funnier. And more intelligent." She keeps listing off things like this until she’s interrupted.

"You ever heard of God? He felt the need to translate himself, wrote like twenty whole book sof translations."

"There is no god. There is only me. The only people delusional enough to believe otherwise are freaks like RF."

"Well, that's a shame. I guess I'll just have to find someone else to help spread their influence and make people become just that little bit more obsessed with them. Hm. Maybe Clyde will be down?"

"No one will ever care about Clyde. I’m much more memorable."

Grobber shrugs.

"…What are you asking me to do?"

"Who, me? I wasn't asking you to do anything. It's not like you're interested, anyway. I'm very sorry for wasting your time."

"You better be." She leaves.

Grobber looks at her with his signature, dopey-looking smile.

4:47 PM

"Aahhh....."

Bob attempts to leave this area as there's nothing else of interest here.

((Where is he headed?))

Bob heads to the men's section.

Grobber follows Bob.

IO is there. "Hey, JD! You feeling better!?"

"Decided not to kill myself must leave now!"

"Yeah! That’s the power of ideology!"

"Ideology is existence preview!:

"Damn right it is!"

"Wow. People are amazing, huh."

"Mr Brentwood?" A guard approached.

"Yes sir?"

5:15 PM

"Ha-ha, just kidding. What's up?"

"You’re free to go." The guard. "Huh?" IO.

"?"

5:19 PM

"E-excuse me?"

5:20 PM

"H-ehheh... no..."

5:20 PM

"No it could be... Bob, right?"

5:20 PM

"Bob's free to go?"

5:21 PM

"I'm... I'm The Fungus! You gotta... you gotta have me put away forever!"

5:21 PM

"You know what I did? It was terrible!"

"A friend of yours paid your bail. You’re free until your trial." The guard.

"A f-friend? Who? Exactly?"

"He didn’t say. But he’s waiting for you in front if you want to talk to him." The guard.

Grobber's eye twitches. "Can I stay?"

"You want to refuse your bail?" The guard.

"I mean- it's pretty nice, here, man. I don't know what I have left out there."

"Can you at least discuss this with that friend of yours? I’m just a guard." The guard. "By the power of ideology, even you can fix this!" IO. "No, I can’t." The guard.

Grobber sighs, then leaves to the front of the prison.

((Channel split))

((Does this mean I switch channels))

((yeah))

((Yeah))

BanzaiAlex

"I can leave?!"

Jump

Go to message!

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber heads out to the prison front.

It’s Fritz. "Hello, Grobber. I apologize for not coming to speak to you yesterday."

Grobber's eyes go wide. "Oh. Hey, Fritz."

5:45 PM

"It's-it's okay, man. H-heh, you didn't have to come here. Don't worry about it."

"I’m glad to hear it. But I saw your bail was available, so I took the liberty of freeing you."

"Oh, um. Yeah. That's. Thanks, ehm... I'm, really very sorry you, er. You had to do that. It... I didn't want you to have to. Well. You know."

"Is something wrong?"

"...I fucked up again! Man, I... I didn't want to make my problems your problems. You're the one dude in the world who doesn't deserve that, Fritz."

5:52 PM

"And now, I'm... I'm afraid to leave."

5:53 PM

"I've been on repeat saying all this shit. Grace left me and took The Fungus. I have no money. I'm nothing! And to be honest... jail was good to me."

"I see. Then you’d rather remain in jail for the rest of your life?"

"....Yeah, kinda. Like. I don't know, man. It was easy."

"If it’s where life is taking you, I have no reason to disagree with it."

"But you- you spent all that money to keep me out, dude! I can't fucking, spit on that."

"For now, I would recommend you come with me. There’s a situation I believe you might like to be informed on. I apologize if I am wrong in this guess, I’m not an expert at understanding others' desires."

"S-sure. Yeah. That's great. Okay. Let's go."

Fritz walks out of the prison.

Grobber follows.

He walks until he reaches a bus stop. "Here."

Grobber follows him to the bus stop. "Wow, it's... bright."

"Is it particularly dark in there?"

"Nah, it's just a normal amount of dark. It's just bright put here."

"How strange. I don’t really sense the difference."

6:59 PM

The bus arrives.

Grobber follows Fritz on. "I guess it's like, hehm.. the, erm... you ever watch that one movie? 'By the time I saw the light, it was blinding..."

"No, I have not. My interest in fiction is unfortunately rather recent. I haven’t had the chance to experience what may seem like such classics to you."

"Yeah, I guess. I just love Bane."

"Bane? The concept itself?"

"No, like, the guy with the mask." Grobber does a funny Bane impression. "Nobody knew who I was until I put on the mask..."

"I see. That’s far less philosophical than what I had imagined. I was about to make some statement about how… In a grander sense… We all often love bane. I’m a rather stoic person… But I find that oftentimes the greatest pains come from love."

7:14 PM

"Tell me about this bane of yours."

"Well, I mean. I think that's what Bane is, right? In the comics, Bane isn't a show-off, it's all about the message and not about the means. There's something refreshing about that directness." "I don't know, as much as I hate Belto Shelk, I don't really think I hate one thing in particular. I just hate... stuff. I hate how satisfied people are with the way that things are. I hate people going day in day out, not even confident that everything is alright, just unwilling to care. I want to agitate that."

"I was asking about the masked man you were talking about. What is he like?"

"He's strong, and he's eloquent, and he leads a movement."

7:54 PM

"He's an ultimate force of strength and knowledge."

7:54 PM

"He fought Batman. And won."

"Are bats particularly strong?"

"Batman himself isn't the important one, his enemies are. Bane isn't a joke, he's not a riddle, he's not a bbird or a cat or a penguin. He's not a scarecrow or a plant or a puppet. He's not a broken friend or a regretful teacher, he's not another crazy person. He's just a force."

"I see… So he’s the kind of person who understands his role, then?"

"Exactly. There's no delusion. He's made his role."

"I see. That’s respectable, then."

"Yeah. He earns it. He doesn't just-" Grobber looks away. "Yeah."

The bus arrives. "Hm…" Fritz steps off. "Do you recall that thing I mentioned earlier?"

"Yeah, the thing I wanted to see?"

"Yes…" His expression contorts, like he’s strangely sad. "I know it may seem strange coming from me but… I would suggest you prepare yourself. I don’t want to hurt you." They’re walking to Grobber's house.

"o-okay?" Grobber starts looking for escape options, and breathes in and out. His pace gets more erratice as he walks towards his door.

"I’m not… A particularly emotional person. I find that much more comforting. But I cannot deny that you often tend to slip through cracks I did not realize I had."

Grobber starts to twinge a little bit in the side of his neck. "Th-thanks, Fritz. You... you make me emotional too. Sometimes it feels like you're the only other person. Ever. In like, the world."

"…Is that so? That’s strange. I find that there are many people in the world who could very easily replace me."

"Fritz, you literally, like, bailed me out, man. Nobody else in the world did that. Even the people that said they were going to..."

"I thought you didn’t want that?"

"It... felt nice. It's complicated. Nobody knows what they want. Me least of all."

"I can’t say I really understand it. Personally, it’s quite rare for me to feel a want for anything."

"I guess that means you got it all figured out. It must be great."

"But the truth is… For whatever reason I desire you to be happy. So please understand that you are not alone in… Whatever pain this brings you." They arrive at Grobber's house. Police are all over the place. "Grace Wight was found dead here this afternoon."

"What."

8:22 PM

"No? Grace like. Huh?"

8:22 PM

Grobber runs forward into the crowd of police.

((End session))

((No session this week sorry))

2:17 PM

((The week after THAT though… That’ll be peak))

((Ok at this point I don't think you'll have a session this week either sorry.))

((Yeah no session this week either sorry. I’m trying my best but I need someone who has been much slower than I imagined. I’ll try to let you do a makeup session or something if you want as soon as I can))

It's Fungover.

1:30 PM

That's okay that's probably 1 week earlier Garb will start

Inside the crowd of police is a man Grobber would not recognize, being interviewed. This man is Hav Kerloe.

Grobber runs up to the interview. "What. What is going on. Y-you gotta tell me. This is my place. You have to tell me."

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-and-hav

((hi))

A young man approaches, in a dusty, bloody orange prison jumpsuit. Perhaps the only thing more offesnive than his face is his odor. He speaks with a low whine. "What. What is going on. Y-you gotta tell me. This is my place. You have to tell me."

I say nothing.

"You live here?" Cop.

"Ye-yeah, this was. I liv- well, I lived... I own the place. This is my property. What the hell hap- what happened?"

"This man here found a body." The cop points to Hav.

"What the hell are you- what were you doing at my house, man? Who the fuck am I to you?"

"Don't ask me. I didn't choose to come here."

"W-what the-" He looks at the cop. "This fucking guy!" He squints his eyes closed, gathering mental energy for a couple moments to hold off an incoming headache. "Friend, typically that kind of proclamation would be followed by an explanation of how you ended up here in that case."

"Sir, please stay back and don’t interfere with a police investigation."

"This is my fucking house! I live here! This property is directly tangible to my-" He winces again. "AND GRACE WAS MY FUCKING GIRLFRIEND! SHE WAS MY GIRLFRIEND!"

"A detective will come and question you soon, sir. Please just stay back."

"...hey, cop?"

"What?"

He chuckles. "You ever heard of the Fungus?"

The cop ignores this.

"You fool! You are the barnacle of artifice that will be scraped from this realm! Cower in fear! The fungus will come for you, and those who don't join their army will not be spared! They command you to let me through!"

Cops drag him off the scene.

He starts to cry. "I just wanted to know what happened in my house!!!!! I'm sorry!!! I'm not even the Fungus that was Grace!!! She did it all!!!! I-I'm sorry!!!! I'm just so scared!!! I got beat up in jail!"

((Channel split))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber is dragged out. Fritz pats him on the shoulder. "It seems that didn’t go well."

"They won't let me in my house!!!" Tears stream from his eyes.

"Would you like to rest in my house for now?"

"I... I could..." His shoulders slump. "Yeah, okay. I... could..."

Fritz leads him into his house.

Grobber follows, stopping before the door.

He opens the door, and steps inside. The layout is similar to Grobber's house but it’s almost completely devoid of decoration, as if no one actually lives here.

"I... I don't know... it's not right..."

5:25 PM

"This is your home... I'm..." He tries to wipe his feet on the welcome mat, to get dirt off.

"It doesn’t matter." He enters. "I hold a preference for areas which are clean, especially when all things are properly placed. However, I am not some kind of god. My preferences hold very little meaning."

"...I don't wanna... I don't want to take too much..."

"Then it’s a good thing I have nothing to give." He steps into the kitchen. "Hmm… Aside from a cup of tea, perhaps? The kind I keep have calming properties, apparently."

He cringes and hunches as he steps inside.

"You’re opinionated, yes? Then… Hm. Which would you prefer? Peaches or peppermint? The latter is labelled as Ex-mass, for whatever reason… However it is peppermint flavoured, as confusing as this may seem."

"...Xmas... Christmas, Fritz. It's what all the fucking... normies do in the winter. It's not for us. But I'll take it right now, heh. Steal it back from 'em."

He pours water into 2 cups and places a tea bag into each. "I see. Is it even possible to steal a tradition, though? It’s my understanding that traditions are intended for as many as possible."

"Well, it's not- It's not the traditions, man, like-" Grobber takes the cup of water. "We can put decorations up, sing carols, eat turkey, drink this tea, even give each others gifts... but the thing itself- Christmas. It doesn't belong to us, right? We'd just be jacking ourselves off for no reason. And it's set up that way, they win either way. Either we keep jacking off, and they laugh at how we act as performative fucking window dressing in their bullshit scenery, or we stop jacking off, and they get a sorry piece of shit to feel better than."

"I’m afraid I don’t follow where the masturbation comes in."

"That's all it would be, man! All this world is set up to get us to just fucking jack off for no reason. Even the whole government-" With his other hand, he mimes jacking off. "Awhhh man, I fucking love voting. Wow, it's crazy how much my vote matters. American democracy is, like, so fucking rad, man. I sure do love having my voice heard! YeaaahHHh!!!! I LOVE VOTING!!!! OUGHHHH! I'M MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!" His gestures escalate. "OH MAN!!! VOTING IS SO AWESOMEE!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS! GO OUT AND VOTE! IF YOU DON'T MAKE AN ABSOLUTELY FUCKING USELESS GESTURE THAT CHANGES NOTHING EVERY YEAR, YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT!" He begins to mime masturbating even more furiously. "OH MAN! I SURE AM GLAD THAT ELECTIONS ARE DECIDED BY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF WHO SPENDS THE MOST MONEY! OHHHHH!!!!! I'M DECIDING OUR FUTURE LEADERS!!!!! I'M MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!! I'M.... GONNNA.... VOOOOOOOOTE!!!!!!" He mimes an explosion all over the floor.

Fritz raises an eyebrow. "…"

"People writing books about themselves, for people to watch with envy. Oh man! I wish that was me! Except now, of course, we gotta post it to a platform that decides that shit algorithmically, because what is convenient's gotta be the fuckin best, you know? Aw man, gotta make your voice heard! Gotta post about politics! Yeah!!!! I'm such a good person!!! I'm so smart!!!! Gotta post about Apollo Justice!!! Oh yeah!!! Apollo Justice is so good!!! It called me such a smart boy!!!! Oh yeah!!! Gotta get my coffee! Can't live without my coffee, yknow? Hah! Such a goofy guy! FUCK! FUUUCK!!! FUCK!!!" He punches the wall.

"Are you certain your anger is directed at this… Public masturbation?"

"...I wish it could just be that easy, is all. I wish I could follow all the rules, smile first and be happy later."

"Do you really? I was under the impression you felt the opposite."

"I- I-" He sits down.

7:02 PM

"I don't know what I want. I want to be happy, but I can't. As long as I'm forced to be unhappy, I might as well show others. But I need to be around others. That's what happiness, like, is, you know?"

7:02 PM

"And now Grace is dead. And now my house has been fucking. Filled with pigs."

"Do you want to know the truth, Grobber? The real truth?"

Grobber scrunches his face up like he just ate something sour. He eventually breathes in, and nods. "Yea. Yea I do."

"Happiness isn’t real."

"What?"

"It doesn’t exist. No one is ever happy about anything. It’s a convenient truth. A masturbation, as you put it. Everyone understands it’s meaningless and fake, they simply can’t bring themselves to admit it."

"...Then why.. why does anyone do any of this shit?"

"Because we’re supposed to. I’ve told you from the start, Grobber. We… Are merely cogs in an endless machine. Nothing we do has any meaning whatsoever. Even if you were to kill yourself it would simply be for the purposes of what your experiences have made you do. For many, this is quite demoralizing. It’s the common narcissism of the human race to believe that our actions are meaningful. That we have any sort of free will. People believe this because it allows them to pretend they can accomplish anything… Even some vague illusory emotion that will make it all worthwhile. But this is not how it works. I have long since accepted this. I am content with whatever life chooses to place me in. But not many can find this peace. Their narcissism, and the experience that had built up to it… It all pushes them to attempt to swim against an unstoppable current. For some… This may be comforting. And it would certainly be impossible to blame anyone for being themselves. But this is the choice we make. Contentness… Or forever fighting a battle we will never win. In the end… It still means nothing, either way."

"...But if you take out what people want to do, what's left? If what I want is worthless, why do anything else?"

"Why not?"

"Because shit... feels bad to me, I get hurt. I don't want to hurt anymore..."

"Simply… Allow for things to happen. Stop caring."

He clenches his fists. "...Yeah. Okay."

The doorbell rings. "Your tea should be ready. I’ll go answer." Fritz gets up.

Grobber looks into the tea. He tries to make out his reflection on the surface.

((Roll))

Grobber can’t make out his reflection.

Grobber drinks the tea.

Fritz walks back to Grobber. "Ah, it appears my guest is here to speak to you." Detective Jessica James steps into the room and glares at Grobber. "You." ((End session))

((Saturday))

"You."

Grobber turns to Jessica James. He makes a split decision, and his entire face curves into a smile. "Oh! Hello officer!"

"What do you think you’re doing here?" She approaches him threateningly. "Is there a problem?" Fritz.

"Oh! I think I can answer this!" He lifts up his cup. "I'm drinking tea."

"You’re a criminal." James.

"I'm an alleged criminal, and I still have rights! And so does my friend, Fritz! You think you can barge in on his house just to talk to me? You're turning me into a very bad house guest, toots."

"I’m not here for you. I’m here for this man’s neighbour." James. "That would indeed be him." Fritz motions to Grobber.

"Am I under arrest?"

"You should already be in jail."

"Oh! Okay. I see the problem. So there's this thing called bail, and when you pay bail, you can get out of jail in advance of a trial. So someone paid my bail, and now I'm out. I'm out of the jail. Does that make sense to you?"

"You don’t deserve freedom." James. "It is the law." Fritz.

"Oh, are we talking moral judgements? Okay, I've got one: I think you're the best. You're my favorite, James. I really do appreciate your endless quest to clean up the streets. It isn't just an intellectual curiosity, either. I've spent some time in the pen now, so I can say for sure: the people that get jailed and go to prison easily get everything they want. It's a playground. Nobody cares. People can get things from the outside freely, they do drugs, get in fights, they even have sex pretty much constantly. It's a real haven for that kind of thing to fester. And not only that, but it gets people on the outside riled up too! You know, I'm obviously not the Fungus, but as someone who's paid attention to the thing, when I see all of these criminals in jail partaking in their darkest desires freely, when I see people on the outside suffer and lie in anguish about what goes on inside, well... there's a rock solid elegance to it. And don't even get me started on executions and other murders!- or, uses of deadly force, I mean. I think the world of you, Ms. James."

2:50 PM

"And that's why I will never kill you."

"You son of a bitch…!" James. "I would issue the correction that his mother was quite pleasant." Fritz.

"I'm sorry, Ms. James, can I ask you to clarify exactly what you're doing here?" Grobber clasps his hands and grins. (edited)

"I’m here to interrogate you, apparently." James.

"If I'm not under arrest, I don't have to talk. And I only talk with people who are nice."

"Then maybe I should arrest you for her murder." James.

"Oooh! That'd be pretty scary indeed! But I have an alibi- you might be surprised to hear this, but I was actually in prison until, what. Thirty minutes ago? And since then, I've been in the near-constant company of Fritz, here."

"You spoiled little asshole. Are you so used to having everything handed to you that you think I’ll just let a criminal like you run free? Haven’t you ever heard of obstruction on justice?"

"I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm not gonna destroy any evidence, I've never unduly done any of that! I have my rights! I can plead the fifth anytime I want..."

3:22 PM

"But I could talk to you, I just need you to be nice. I have a fragile constitution, after all."

"Why should I care about your 'constitution' when people like you do nothing but disrespect the one I follow." James.

"Sorry, but mine's the one that gets upheld in court. We could try it out ourselves, do a little dance in front of the Supreme Court. I'd love to see what the chosen clerics of the justice you love so much decide to do with you then."

"What are you implying?" James. (edited)

"Sorry, let me dumb this down so your piggy brain can understand. I mean 'tough titties.' I'm gonna give you one of two options: you either put up with my bullshit, verbally fellate me here and now for my information, and you can go on chasing your scoop, or you can fuck off, and explain to your boss why you couldn't retrieve any testimony from me when I would go on to freely provide it to the station later. I'm obviously not responsible for this shooting, and I have my rights not to say anything. If you want to force my hand, that would make you a vigilante, so you might as well tape me to a chair and torture me or something."

"Is that what this is?" She steps forward. "Just because I’m a woman? You can’t stand to ever see a woman have power over you, so you whine and cry like a baby because you just need me to coddle your pathetic little feelings. Well, guess what? I take it back. Your wasn’t nearly enough of a bitch to you, it seems. And thankfully, I’m not your mother."

"Oh YEAHHHH!!!" Grobber begins to exaggeratedly convulse. "YEAH MOMMY! KEEP TALKING LIKE THAT!! YEAH!!!! GIVE ME MORE!!!!"

"Grobber… Please calm down." Fritz looks disturbed. "Pathetic." James looks down on Grobber with utmost disgust.

Grobber starts to laugh at his own joke, which he perceives as incredibly funny. He then stands up and brushes himself off, then fixes his focus to Jessica James. "Are we done here?"

"Have some self-respect. Of course, I should expect nothing more of lowlifes like you. You don’t know how to live for anything but yourself, much less die for it." James.

"Dude you're so BORING! You say the same shit over and over and over! It's like. Oh my god. Oh. My. God. Erm, can you get some original content please? Can you post better, sweety?"

"Do not-" She punches Grobber in the face. "-call me 'sweety'."

Grobber falls backwards. "Oh, I like that, hun! You're a crazy bitch!" He smiles from the ground.

"Agh!" James tries to hit him again, but Fritz pulls her back. "This fight serves no purpose." Fritz.

"Awhh, sorry doll." Grobber stands up. "Guess you don't have too much on me now."

"I’m going to make sure you rot in prison and never see the light of day again." She storms out.

Grobber follows her. "Wow, you're such a great cop! ON OPPOSITE DAY!!!" (edited)

Fritz sighs. "That’s a pathetic insult." James.

"I HOPE YOUR PETS DIE WHEN YOU LOVE THEM THE MOST!"

"I’m not so selfish as to own a pet." She scoffs in disgust.

"Pooo pooo!!!!! Poopoo!!! You're poopoo!!!!"

"What are you trying to accomplish?" She turns around, disgusted. "Just display your own flagrant (ableist slur)?"

"Oh no, are you upset? You on your period, sweety pie?" Grobber does a comically exaggerated frownie face.

"I’m tired of your nonsense. It’s perfectly simple. What will it take to make you stop?"

"You're begging me for something, and yet you have the gall to ask me to come up with leverage you can use? Wow, all cops like you are the same."

"I’m not begging you for anything. I’m leaving."

"Awhhh!!! Sorry Ms. James!" He mimes crying until she leaves.

She gets in her car.

Grobber walks in front of it and continues to mime crying.

She restrains the desire to run him over and tries to turn away from him.

Grobber chuckles. "WHY ARE YOU HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY? WHY ARE YOU HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY?"

4:37 PM

"EVERYBODY! SHE'S HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY! FOR SEX!"

She drives off.

"Hah." Grobber puts his hands on his hips. "Okay. Great." He turns back around and looks at his and Fritz' house. Has anything changed?

There's still a bunch of cops around Grobber's house.

"Haaaaagh..." He kneads his eyes and walks towards them. "Hello? Hello? Hello?"

They ignore him.

"Hello? I'm related to this incident? Does anybody want my statement?"

They ignore him.

Grobber sulks and walks back to Fritz's house.

"Did that go well?" Fritz.

"Well enough. I'm glad you didn't get shot."

"What was that about? Was that some kind of modern flirting?" Fritz sips his tea.

"She's the cop who arrested me for, erm, being the Fungus. I think she was here to interview me about what happened next door? In, uh." He swallows. "We're not friends, so, em... yeah."

"I see." He nods.

"I'm glad I saw her. I'm glad she knows I'm still out here."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I don't know. She's like one of the most substantive relationships I even have anymore. It's good to keep those up to date."

"Oh. So it was flirting?"

"It was like. Hate-flirting."

"I see. Modern relationships sure are strange."

"People have an ingrained respect of suffering and hate. It's just that nowadays, people have started to see behind the veil."

"I see. I supposed I'm out of touch in that sense." He takes another sip. "When I was young, a girl tried to propose a relationship to me. I did not quite understand why, and so I refused. That was the closest I ever came to this sort of thing."

"Wow, that's the most sigma shit I've ever heard of. You must've been on the grindset."

"What does that mean?"

"You're like a lone wolf archetype, y'know? You're focused on getting shit, accomplishing your goals, instead of other people."

"I have no real desire to 'get' shit, as it were. The rest may perhaps be true."

"Fair enough."

5:44 PM

Grobber stretches. "This has been, like, the most fucked up week ever."

"Would you like to get some sleep for tonight?"

"Yeah.... yeah, that sounds. Good."

He points to a door. "There is a bed in there." (edited)

"Erm. Thanks, Fritz, I- uh."

5:47 PM

"I wouldn't be able to go anywhere else. I think I'd just cease to exist."

5:48 PM

"Thanks."

"I agree." He smiles.

Grobber scratches his head, then goes into the other room.

It's a very plain looking bedroom. There is only a bed and no other furniture.

Grobber sits on the bed, leans back and stares at the ceiling.

5:52 PM

"..."

5:53 PM

"...Grace?"

5:53 PM

"...Mom?"

5:54 PM

He tries to sleep.

Grobber falls asleep. ((End chapter))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

10: Advanced Gaming

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber wakes up the next morning.

Grobber pries his eyes open and walks out of the room.

Fritz is cooking an omelette in the kitchen.

"Hey Fritz. Nice eggs. I like the egg in them."

"But not the s?"

"Uh. I like the eggs-ses in them. I... eggss?? Egggs... It's been a while."

"Are you alright?"

"...I don't... know. I'm standing up, I guess."

2:18 PM

"I slept in a bed."

"Is that uncommon?"

"As of late, yeah. A real bed. In a house."

"Do you not have your own?"

"It just doesn't feel real anymore."

"Feel real? Reality is not a mere feeling."

"It felt like an abstraction. Something in the shape and form of a bed, but it felt like it was lying to me." (edited)

"I don’t follow."

"I don't know. There's something to me of what a bed 'means' that exists like- that's not just like how it's shaped, right? My bed didn't have that."

"A bed is a rather simple piece of furniture."

"I guess. Everything can be decomposed like that, to some extent."

((Haha like a fungus))

"Indeed. Life is a rather simple patchwork of ideas."

Grobber looks at the omelette like "Where'd you learn to make something like that?"

He plates it. "It’s a rather elementary mix. Eggs and heat. Would you like this one?"

"Yeah. sure. It looks... good. Better than the eggs I make."

He slides the plate over to a seat.

Grobber sits down at the table, picks the omelette up, and bites into it.

It’s aggressively bland.

"Wow... this must be what food tastes like for good people."

"Hm? What does that mean?" Fritz begins cooking another omelette.

"You know, I ate just... garbage, right? This is food for a better person. Someone with real... something, I guess."

"You ate garbage? With your amount of money, you could simply have hired a professional chef."

"Man, I didn't want other people in that house. That would've been weird. I was happy eating garbage. I still probably would be."

"All that money... And for what?"

Grobber shrugs. "I was keeping myself alive."

"...Perhaps all of this is good for you, in a way."

"I don't really see anything outside of the moment anymore. Every hour is too much to take it any more than an hour at a time."

"Is that so?" Fritz plates his own omelette and sits down with it. "I must say that I find the moment to moment experience to be rather meaningless."

"It's all I have anymore. Drugs? Jail? Investigation? Grace? All of it just flashes in front of me. I don't have any control. I can just take it on the chin and move on."

"On that, I can certainly agree." He starts eating.

Grobber eats the rest of his omelette. swallowing it down quickly.

"What do you plan to do today?"

"I don't know. I have a few people involved in all this junk I'm gonna try and contact. I'd like to look into what happened to Grace, the best I can. Maybe I'll talk to a lawyer. I want to see what state my house is in."

"I see." He nods.

"Uhh... what about you? What are you gonna do, Fritz?"

"The same as I always do."

"...Yeah."

4:08 PM

"Well, I think I'm gonna, do my...

4:08 PM

Yeah."

4:08 PM

"Thanks for Breakfast, Fritz. I'll see you around."

"I shall see you as well, I imagine."

Grobber nods to him. "Thanks." He goes to leave and stops. "Yeah. Thanks a lot." He leaves Fritz' house.

Fritz nods. Grobber's house is surrounded by police tape, but the cops have mostly left. There's a fancy looking car parked in front.

Grobber walks to the car and looks at it.

Fredrick Wight is inside, along with this girl. The 2 step out,

"Hey beast! Welcome to mi casa!"

Fredrick shuts the door. "You're more... Happy... Than I expected."

"I'm sorry, did you want me to cry? Were you looking forward to seeing me destroyed, reduced to groveling at even your feet for mercy? If you wanted me to treat you as my therapist, I hate to disappoint you, but our relationship just isn't there yet, Mr. Wight."

He sighs. "No, I… We wanted to know about her. My daughter." "The other one." Sophie.

"Hmph. I..." He looks at Sophie. "...Mmph. Are. Hey."

Sophie glares at him but doesn’t say anything. "What was she like?" Fredrick.

"i'm. er. sorry, yeah." He bites his lip, and turns to the house, walking closer to it. "She was like me. She knew more people, had more people she could count as her friends. but I don't think they really mattered that much in the end. She, em-" He looks around to make sure nobody can hear. "After- after I got. After I got booked, right. She wanted to take over The Fungus. I think she would've. I don't know if that's why" He looks over to his house. "I don't know anything. I just got bailed out yesterday."

"But… She was with you all those years, wasn’t she?" Fredrick.

"Yeah. She... she didn't really have a lot of other places to go. It was- like- it was. Hmph." He looks at the house. "We stayed there together, just weathering out the days with each other's company. We were the only people who could stand each other, and even then just barely."

"Was she… That miserable?" Fredrick.

Grobber nods. "She had a girl she liked, but... the girl ended up dying. Those last few days, where we were trying to find out anything that had happened, it-"

4:43 PM

"It was just. It was-"

4:43 PM

"Well, you know how it ended."

"…That’s what she gets for running away." Sophie.

Grobber pivots his entire body to directly face Sophie and stares her dead in the eyes. "Do you two have any other questions?"

"…Was she ever happy?" Fredrick.

"She liked chasing you. It wasn't just a game for her. It was her only fixation."

"…Huh." He puts his hands in his pockets. "And here I thought I was the source of her misery."

"Nah. The shit that happened to her was something else. I don't know what happened between you all, but she went out and found misery by herself. It was easier than anything else."

"I think… She must’ve wanted it, then. She was free, after all." Fredrick.

"None of us get what we want, man. There are a thousand things I want right now, and I don't have any of them. Instead I'm sitting out here like an asshole talking to you two."

"Like what?" Fredrick. (edited)

"I want to figure out what the hell is happening to Avengard. And I want to show everyone how it feels to be like me."

"Heh… And how exactly do you plan to accomplish that? Gonna throw drugs around til everybody's an addict?" Fredrick.

"Nah, the rest of the world's got me covered on that front. Everybody's primed and ready. They just need to be shown how little they have to lose."

"…Well, it’s a free country." He shrugs. "You’re an idiot." Sophie.

"Did your friends abandon you after they realized that looking for you would take more time than their stimulus-addled brains could muster, or were they so apathetic to your presence that they never looked in the first place?"

"I wasn’t abandoned by any 'friends'… But even if I did, at least I’d have something to lose!" Sophie. "Sophie, stop…" Fredrick. "If my sister was anything like you, then I’m glad I never knew her! I’m glad I spent so long without ever finding out I was related to such a miserable person!" Sophie starts to cry. "I- I don’t have the best life, but I hold onto what I have instead of standing there and moping! I do something with my life! You only have nothing to lose because you’re the worst! Because you let everything slip by you while you sit there and whine!" "Sophie! Enough!" Fredrick.

Grobber looks through his house. "Johnner visited me when I was in jail. The guy that, you know. Yeah. He told me I should start thinking about a big idea, something to put me back on everyone's minds. He wanted me to get even bigger. You sound a lot like him right now."

Sophie gets into the car. Fredrick watches her go before he speaks again. "…You wanna send the world a message, right?"

"Yeah."

"Can you make it safe for TV?"

"Hem. Yeah, I could. I could do something like that."

"Swing by the station later today, maybe. And hope I haven’t changed my mind." He gets in the car.

"It'll be great. Thanks."

He drives away.

Grobber looks to his house and attempts to cross the police line.

Police stop him. "Woah! You can’t go there!"

"Please! This is my house! There's things I need in here!"

"It’s a crime scene now."

"....FACK!"

6:31 PM

Grobber reaches around in his pockets. Did he get his phone when he got bailed out?

He can have his phone again.

Grobber checks to make sure if he still had the recording he took during his interrogation.

((Refresh my memory))

The Fungus

(This was the day of fredrick interview + interrogation)

It’s been deleted from his phone.

"F-F-Fw'fweee..." He's barely able to contain his rage. He attempts to call Dana.

She doesn’t pick up.

He attempts to call Ariel.

She picks up. "Hello!"

"ARIEL! Hey! It's uh- it's Grobber. I got out of jail."

"Oh. That’s cool."

"Ehm. Is Dana around? There's some stuff that happened with Grace... I want to talk to someone who could be able to find out what Grace was doing while I was in... yeah." (edited)

"She went to her room with my boyfriend, but she’s probably asleep by now." Ariel.

"Ehm, she- great. Alright. Did either of you find out anything about the shit we were looking into?"

"I don’t know."

6:56 PM

"We did go after a mob boss last night… It was really dramatic."

"Oh shit, for real? You guys make it out alright?"

"Mostly."

"A real mob boss, huh. How'd you find yourself at odds with a guy like that?"

"Oh, I don’t know if I should say…" There’s a weird noise. "Sorry, my boyfriend’s here. I’ll tell Dana to call you back, okay?"

"Sounds good. All of us on the same team should get together sometime soon. See you around, Ariel."

"See you!" She hangs up.

Grobber calls Carolyn Blythe. (edited)

((Grobbee))

She picks up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / carolyn-and-grobber

((Hi))

"Hey Carolyn. You free?"

"Not... exactly..."

7:09 PM

"I can... try to make time... What am I needed for...?"

"Sounds great. I'll make this quick. When's the last time you've seen Grace?"

"...She's dead, Mr. Brentwood. Her father... called me yesterday to let me know. I saw her... two days ago. She visited my office, with Dana..."

"Her pops called you, huh. I didnt realize you and him were acquainted. What did the three of you talk about? Wanna cross reference your side of the story with Dana's."

"To be honest, Mr. Brentwood, I have lost a lot of blood. So... give me a moment..." Carolyn pauses "Yes, Grace... accused me of murdering Gus Amon... I conceded, to make her feel better... and she left... they were both wearing masks at first, and..." She lets out a small laugh "Yes, I discussed some stories with Dana after Grace left... Inception... one she was writing, too... then we parted ways."

"...Okay. sorry for keeping you. Interesting shit. Theres actually another thing I wanted to talk about. I just finished with my few day stint in the pen. You'll never guess who I found kicking around up there. Can you guess?"

"...Surprise me."

"It was your pops! They've got him rotting in solitary confinement, and apparently he never talks to anybody. But for some reason, I was able to get the old soul to open up to me. We had a very informative conversation."

Carolyn's tone brightens "How wonderful! I've... well, I've tried to do much of the same with visits, but... thank you, Mr. Brentwood. He deserves a friend, after all this time. I was afraid he'd die how I last saw him."

"Yeah, well. Those folks in jail weren't so bad. I would've stayed there for longer, but there's some stuff I gotta sort out on this side of the fence."

"It is good to be caring for those... less fortunate. Society is so quick to abandon outliers... it's truly sad. I hope it was fulfilling for you, as well, of course."

"Seeing all of them, I felt like I had a lot to live up to. They're my people. Wish I had more time to spend, but that's okay. I still got the rest of my life. Anything else you wanna talk about, Carolyn?"

"...No, I'm rather... exhausted at the moment. My apologies..."

"Sounds good. Take care, and watch yourself." Grobber hangs up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber is still standing there.

"...Hm." He googles 'Edlightenment'

There are many results about the Edlightenment mass murder. (edited)

the WHAT

7:47 PM

Grobber looks into this a bit more.

9 years ago, Edward Blythe poisoned his entire cult to death with the exception of himself and his 18yo daughter.

Why?

He never said his motive, but the prosecution argued he was running a suicide cult.

"Hm." Grobber also googles 'Ideology Overdrive TAP Kyoko Kirigiri'

Kyoko Kirigiri is a character from Danganronpa. TAP is a verb. Ideology Overdrive has no results.

Okay. One last search. 'Bob Smith'.

((Roll))

16.

He has a youtube channel called The Elusive Sentasaurus.

Grobber will look through it for any interesting recent events.

His most recent video is an announcement that he's moving to a channel called Saur Mann.

Grobber will check that channel too.

The only video is a heavily clickbaited title about a man putting a bomb in Kerloe Fishery.

"Meh." Grobber loses interest and calls Naomi Kidink.

((End session))

((Saturday))

I will be a tad late.

"Welcome to Kidink law offices." It’s not Naomi herself.

"Hey, uh- Yeah. It's Grobber. Um. Brentwood. I had a meeting with Naomi a couple days ago. In Shelk Prison, I mean. I wanted to follow up on that- ehm. If at all possible." (edited)

"I’ll transfer you over to her." It’s silent for a bit.

"Cool. yeah, cool. It's all cool."

"Hello? This is Naomi Kidink speaking?" It is indeed her voice.

"Hey, uhm. Kidink. It's Grobber, uh. I got bailed out, and I'd- I'd like to stay out. For a bit."

"…Oh." She sounds confused.

"...There's like. a- There was another murder though. At my house. While I was in jail. So it's a bit awkward. Heh. Out of one crime, into another, right?"

"Weren’t you broke?"

"Eh. Yeah, ehm. Jeff Johnner and Gus Amon collaborated to siphon away my inheritance to some shadow fund, for like. Shuichi Maoziwam? But I still had a house, at least. For a while. It's- ahem... a murder scene now, heh."

3:12 PM

"I have a recording of my interrogation in my house I would send to you, but I can't exactly, ahem. Get in there now."

"How did you pay bail? You didn’t break out, did you? That would make my job significantly harder."

"No. My friend, uh, Fritz Bachmann bailed me out. He just- he's on my team."

She’s silent for a moment. "…I see. And you weren’t willing to use that money to pay me earlier?"

"I don't have any money- erm. Like, everything in my money account was drained. I didn't even ask Fritz to bail me out, man, like. I didn't. I didn't want that."

"Payment is the default communication of a modern society." She sighs. "...You mentioned Jeff Johnner. Have you heard the news?"

"Money is only really useful for telling people to go away. What's up with Johnner?"

"He died. Just a few hours ago, it seems."

"How? Wh- what happened to him?"

"Some kind of gang violence. How should I know?"

"Huh. W-weird. I had just seen him..."

"...But perhaps you should take this as a lesson." She speaks coldly. "If the fungus is revived, who knows how many may strike similarly. Enjoy your freedom within the bounds of the law, Mr. Brentwood. A trial still waits in your future."

"I think I get what you're saying, but if I get someone to take me out before my trial, I lose my platform."

"I'm telling you not to do anything rash. Is that so difficult to understand?"

"Ohhhhh,,," He says quietly. "By the way, Bob is suicidal."

"That's fine. I don't have any more use for him. Thank you for watching over him while you did, at the very least."

"Oh. Okay. Cool. See you around, Naomi."

"One last thing, Mr. Brentwood."

"Yeah?"

"I don't think you quite understand your situation."

"What do you mean? I get it. I get everything."

"Why exactly do you think people followed the fungus?"

"They were. Uhm. Desparate, just like me."

"They were poor. The rejected masses of society, who failed to hold onto it's opportunities. They idolized someone who said he saw the world the same way they did. Who promised to 'right the wrongs' society has cast onto them... Someone like them. But you're not like them. Up until recently, you were a rich kid who had everything handed to him. You're preaching to a crowd meant to be rallied against people like you. And now... Your name was exposed. Everyone knows who you are. So who is it you think they see now when they look at you? A leader? Or a conman, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, who simply used them."

"I don't con... I'm not... I'm..."

"You bailed your way out of prison. You worked with the system, and you paid your way out of consequences. ...That may have been a gift, but is that how the world at large will see it? The people know who you really are now, Mr. Brentwood. The emperor has no clothes, so to speak."

"...You don't know who who I am. Nobody does. But I'll show everyone."

"As your lawyer, I really do not recommend you do that."

"Cope and seethe, babe. I'll try and find some way to make it up to you. Smell ya later!"

"Don't call me babe." She hangs up.

"Cute. Cute. Money? This is about money? Money? Heh. Money. Sure."

There is no one around to respond.

Grobber walks to Avengard.

This succeeds.

Grobber attempts to find a poorer part of the city.

He's been around there enough to make it there easily. There are a lot of people hanging around outside.

He goes to his own little corner and sits down, looking around at everyone else.

They look at him, but no one says anything yet.

He takes his shirt off.

They stare at him.

He starts drumming on his legs and chest.

They slowly get back to their own business.

He continues to observe the people around himself, trying to learn their mannerisms.

((Roll))

Grobber doesn’t learn much.

One of them approaches him. "Get out of here."

"What's going on? Is t-there a p-problem, friend?"

"You don’t belong here, fungus."

"Why not?"

"Get out of here."

Grobber stands. "No! I've got a place here! I can belong!"

"You used us!"

"I didnt use anything! I'm just like you. You're just like me fr!!!"

"Liar!"

"I'm the Fungus!!! We're all the Fungus together! The government is pushing us apart!"

"The Fungus isn't real!"

"We ARE the Fungus! We're Fungusing!"

"We're surviving! We're not letting ourselves get used anymore!"

"What do you think I was doing? Do you think I gained anything?"

"Most of my friends went to prison just so you could steal from the cops! They're not still walking around outside!"

"The Fungus stole because that's what was good for the Fungus!!! That was necessary!"

"It was good for you! How was it good for any of the people who helped you?"

"It's good for the Fungus! This goes beyond all of us!"

"You're the fungus! Stop pretending you were helping us!"

"We're all doing this together! I'm nothing! Of no significance!"

"Explain it then! How has anything you've done helped us? How has it helped the people you got arrested?"

"We're gathering people together, we're building an army! We revealed the corruption of the police department. That will be the start of the revolution!"

"Honestly... Even the police department makes more sense than you."

"What!? The police keep you down! They kidnap your friends and you support them over me?"

"If I'm gonna support the tools of bored rich people... I'd at least like it to be the smart ones!"

"The forces you feed are actually hurting you! You've been brainwashed!"

"Stop trying to use us!" The poor man punches Grobber in the face.

"Do you not want to challenge your situation? Are you not angry?"

"I am angry! At you!"

"I didn't do anything! I rebelled against the organization that's now holding your friends hostage!"

"Get out of our city!" "Yeah!" "Leave us alone, you fraud!" More of them gather around Grobber to boo him.

"I didn't do anything! I didn't!"

They keep booing him. "Jeez... Tough crowd, huh?" Grobber hears the familiar voice of Ehn on his shoulder.

"Wha!?! What the fuck are you doing here!?"

"What are you doing here?" Random guy. "What's the problem? Did I do something to get you mad too? Really, it's like an endless game of pettiness with you people." Ehn.

"I'm not petty! I'm just stupid!"

8:25 PM

"What are you doing? Hoe did you get here?"

"We know!" Someone says this to the stupid comment. "You should probably get somewhere else before they get angrier." Ehn.

"OH! I am leaving but for an unrelated reason!" Grobber runs away.

They let him run off and cheer. Ehn continues to ride on his shoulder.

Grobber runs to an isolated spot.

He's alone with Ehn now. "So, fresh out of prison, huh?"

"Heh. Yeah. I'm a gangsta."

Ehn somehow finds a way to make her dog face visibly cringe. "...So what's next on the Fungus agenda? Seems like you're at a pretty interesting spot of your life. Perfect excuse to not have to deal with that guy."

"Who's... that guy? I interact with a lot of guys."

"Oh, you don't know him."

"Yeah. I'm. Im fungusing, yeah. I... don't know. I dont know what I have left."

9:06 PM

"I'll try and make something new."

"You really don't have a plan yet?"

"No. I'm... I don't know. I'm just sizing it all up."

9:09 PM

"I'm collecting information, right?"

"Do I really have to do all the thinking for everyone?"

"I didnt ask for you to come here! I was just trying to be nice!"

"Well, you're not really good at it."

Grobber sighs. "The Fungus has to go on. I don't care how it happrns."

"Then you'd better hurry up. I know slow misery's your whole thing but... Grace died, just after becoming the Fungus. Are you sure you can take things slow now?"

"...I've got an interview today, right? I can make it work. I need to find someone fashionable. Someone with outreach. Someone who can speak my message."

"What? No. You're going. This is your story. You can't just shove this job to a side-character!"

"I gotta be the one to say it. But I need someone else to rep it too, you know? Tag team. One-two combo. Corporations are always getting desparate celebrities to forward their message." (edited)

"You're the Fungus! You have to be the face of it! Who's gonna follow a coward too scared to show his face?"

"...Nobody will care about it, coming from me. What am I? I'm... I mean, look, man."

9:25 PM

"Our society is all based around attractiveness, swagger and shit. Even desperate people won't take their medicine from me."

"Aren't you the guy who breaks these illusions, huh? You want them to believe you're just like them... Not that you're above them! I've been nothing but helpful to people, and they still hate me. You know why? Because as much as humans crave power like addicts, they can't stand the idea that someone is above them. They need to invent gods just so they can resent them. So they can feel victimized... because you humans can never be motivated to do anything but let things stagnate. You're the real bottom of the barrel... Someone who no one could possibly look up to... That's why you're a main character!"

"A main character? This isnt a story, chief. And even if it was, none of this is about me. Johnner told me himself. I'm just some stupid kid who exploited an opportunity to get involved. Not anyone to really care about."

"Sure you are. I chose you, so you're a protagonist. It's not that difficult."

"Don't say that. You didnt mean to choose me. You would've chosen Grace. She was the real Fungus."

"...You really don't get it, do you?"

"No! I don't! I don't get any of this! I'm tangential to a sliver of a tiny story. I'm nothing! Zilch!"

She rolls her eyes. "Do you read, Fungus?"

"A... a little? Some? I can read."

"You know what a 'theme' is, right? It's the moral of the story some pretentious know-it-all wants to push on you."

"Yeah, it's fucko school shit."

"Well, all of these stories need a villain. The guy who stands there and just thinks whatever the story disagrees with, while the story mocks it over and over so you understand that he's the bad guy without really needing to think about it too much. That's basically what Johnner is, on a cosmic level."

"So this story already has a certain point? A moral that's already wrapped up?"

"Eh..." She gestures vaguely. "It's an oversimplification. It's not like a mere human would get it, y'know? I'm just translating it to your language."

Grobber sighs. "My intrusion to this story barely matters. I'm just a guy."

9:47 PM

"Even what you did for me is a mistake. It's not like I've gotten any use out of it."

"Well, obviously... That's because we were just in the setup phase, y'know? Your moment's coming soon. Tomorrow, probably. So you'd better hurry up and get back on your feet for then."

"...I'll figure something out. For the Fungus. For Grace."

"Oh, and... Don't trust Dana. That one's just free advice. You could say her and Ariel are one of those people who are just... Built to be wrong."

"Why should I even trust you?"

"Because without me, there'd never even have been a fungus."

Grobber nods.

"...And also, Dana wanted to steal your girlfriend immediately after she dumped you. Probably a recipe for bitterness for you people, right? I dunno, I'm far too powerful to really get those sorts of feelings."

Grobber's eye twitches. "that's." He shakes his head. "That's fine. I never needed her anyway."

"Everyone loves an underdog story, Fungus." Ehn hops off his shoulder. "...So don't disappoint them with this one."

"I'll just show them what's in front of their faces. That'll be enough."

10:01 PM

"Thanks. Advice."

She leaves, before suddenly hitting an invisible wall. "Ow!"

"Are you okay? Are you. Do you need help?"

"Ugh. There's not anyone else close enough."

Grobber walks to Ehn and attempts to pet her. "That's okay. You're doing alright. You can't be blamed."

"...Huh?" The hand goes through her body, but it still feel like it works somehow. Like a vague intangible closeness.

"Good kitty?" (edited)

((Saturday))

"I’m not a cat."

"Good doggy..." He smiles.

"I’m not a dog either… I am Ehn!"

"Heh, you're just The Fungus."

"No… I’m not the fungus! You are!"

"Mysterious ways, Ehn! Mysterious ways."

She groans. "Can you just walk into a more crowded area so I can catch a ride?"

"What kind of Ehn are you, only able to jump through people? Can't you just walk?"

"Well… Yes. But I can’t exist without people."

"Why not? People are just animals... just crops for the Earth."

"It’s just… How it works, okay?"

Grobber chuckles. "You said all stories need a theme, right? If that's the case, what's the theme of your story? How does only being able to exist with just people fit into yours?"

"You wouldn’t understand."

"Gotcha, I get it." Grobber walks away from this secluded alley. "You can never understand someone else's story, yadda yadda..."

"And what’s a story without a villain?" Ehn disappears into a crowd.

Grobber checks the time.

It's around 2PM.

"Hm." He walks back to his house.

He arrives back successfully.

Are cops still around his house?

They are.

"Grraaagh! These pigs! This is my house!"

There's only 2 of them at this point.

"Hey, what's up? Can I go in?"

"No. This is a crime scene."

Grobber sighs and sits on his phone, browsing social media.

This succeeds uneventfully.

What are people talking about? What is getting buzz?

Someone named Ashley Laurier, but it's dying down at this point.

"Hm." What happened with her?

She got cancelled. ((Check the burner account thread for more details))

"Heh. Epic."

3:27 PM

He looks up discussion about Shuichi Maoziwam.

People are just generally shittalking him.

"Nice! We're all... we're all ready."

3:32 PM

What is he wearing?

((What is who wearing))

Grobber

((That's your choice))

He'll wear his normal degen clothes I guess.

3:42 PM

"...Nothing better to do. Shit." He navigates back to Fredrick Wight's office.

He arrives.

He walks in the door with a smug smile.

The receptionist welcomes him. "Who is this?"

"The Fungus."

"Isn't he in prison?"

"No, it's jail. I havent gone to trial yet. Would you like to be a witness?"

"What was your real name again?" They search through their things.

"Grobber Brentwood."

"Ah, right here. So you are supposed to be here... Huh. The stage is on the second floor, 3rd door to your right."

He goes to the stage, coughs, smiles, and enters.

Fredrick is there. "...Huh. You actually showed up."

"Hey." Grobber smiles. "Hey what's up."

"The usual." He sighs. "I guess I've gotta stick by my promise, huh?"

"It'll be great, man. You won't regret it. This will be awesome."

"Alright..." He points to an armchair. "That's where you sit."

Grobber sits down in the chair, and crosses his legs. (edited)

"You sure you don't want to dress up? People usually dress a lot fancier for this sort of thing."

He nods. "Yeah man, I got it. I can roll like this."

"Your choice." He sits down on his chair.

"Heh, cool. Chilled out. It's nice."

"We're on in 5." The director.

Grobber puts his hands behind his head. (edited)

The countdown finishes. "Welcome back to Free News Network, news you can trust. On tonight's show, we have a special guest... The man accused of being the criminal who's haunted this city, The Funguuuuuus." Fredrick. The camera moves to include both of them in the frame.

"Hey everyone. It's the Fungus here. Hey Fredrick, glad to be here. As you said, I'm the Fungus. I'm just out of jail right now, and it was a great time, honestly. Did you know that men and women can just pass into each other's wings? It's crazy. They got all sorts of shit in there. Good drugs too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean like. You hear about jail as this messed up place but, it's not really that. B tier. Above the public school system for sure but probably below being in a hospital." (edited)

"From what I hear, jail's a hellhole. You’re telling me, what? You’d take a vacation there?" He laughs. It sounds fake.

"Listen. I recommend it to all people at least once. You might like it. You might hate it. But think about it, you know? A lot of people stuck in their grind right now. Need some good get-away time, right? Spirituality for the soul. The crime, the jail stint, you know, I'm... I'm learning a lot. Think about it like a work retreat for the soul."

"So is that the goal of the fungus? Just to get yourself in there?"

"No, haha. The Fungus is a lifestyle, right? Let me ask you this, Fredrick. How many people you think watching this are upset with their life right now? Got too many problems, feeling sad, just not where they wanna be?"

"Isn’t that life? I’d say most of them."

"Yeah, and that's a big problem, right? Think about it. America. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Declaration of Independence. We gotta be working to our happiness. We gotta reach out and get it. But the problem is that there's a bunch of people that built the world, and they made it how it is, and if you wanna change it, well you're doing something wrong."

"Constitution's a sacred document."

"Exactly. That's all the Fungus is. It's the acknowledgement that before things get better, they're gonna have to get a lot worse! I think this is pretty intuitive, you know? People are attracted to this kinda stuff. You pick up a rock in a forest, it's got worms and dirt and all sorts of other stuff on the bottom. It's gross but it's also kinda amazing, like your animal brain knows you gotta look at it. It's because if you pretend it doesn't exist, it'll eat you up."

"And what… You take pride in making it worse?"

"You ever heard of Stonewall, Fredrick?"

"Yeah, it’s what we had before brick."

"Nah, Stonewall was this huge massacre where these gay people and cops fought. Bunch of gay people died. But after that happened, nationally, people recognized the cause. 16th street bombings. A black Baptist Church got blown up, and a bunch of kids died. Because of that attack, we have the Civil Rights act. Things always get worse before they get better. Hard times create strong men, right?"

"I was making a joke. Keeping things light."

"Yeah, that's fair enough. Let's talk about something cool. You know what, I'm out in the street, and you know what I've seen?"

"What have you seen, Fungus?"

"You know, the people out there, the people with the struggle, they absolutely LOVE the Fungus. It's been So Great. for them. I got myself into some problems with piggies and I've lost all my assets and my house but they're really great to me. It's good to see like, a lot of people unified, right?"

"You’ve always been a man of the people, right?"

"Yeah, for sure. I'm not- this isn't some corporate movement. It's not like, some safe media trend. We're unique, we're lovely, we're avant-garde. We see each other and the world for what we all really are."

"And what is that?"

"It's a husk of something to an end as we know it, we all are. Something's happening, and you're either in it, or you're out of it."

"And you’d say that you’re in it, I imagine?"

"Yeah, for sure. I think that while I felt about how things were going terribly, how unjust everything is, I wasn't alone. It's something everyone knows. First it was me, then it was the disenfranchised, I mean, it could be everyone next."

"So what’s your plan? What do you want to say to the people?"

"Well, I just wanted to say, get out there, do it. Look into Shuichi Maoziwam. Look into Belto Shelk. Do some searches about how to address the problems in our society. And then, really consider if you're on the Fungus' side or not."

"Not that... Belto Shelk has... Ever done anything wrong."

Grobber gives a wry look directly into the camera. "Of course, Mr. Wight. Of course."

"Could you tell us a bit about yourself? What made you become the fungus?"

"Yeah. I'm an orphan. I'm just a normal guy. My parents had a little bit of money, but it all got stolen away. My girlfriend was murdered in my home. I've seen it all happen."

Grobber's phone rings.

7:08 PM

"Did you forget to turn that off?" Fredrick jokes.

Grobber checks his phone. Who is it? (edited)

Dana.

"This is Dana. Shes one of my allies, and just took out a mob boss. Let's put her on speaker." Grobber takes his phone out and puts Dana on speaker.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / dana-and-grobber

“What happened? Why are you out of jail? Why was she in your house?” I don’t bother with a hello.

"You can't just..." A male voice on Grobber's side sounds exasperated.

“Who is this?!”

"Fredrick Wight. You're live on Free News Network, for some reason, Dana." (edited)

"You're on TV! This is my friend Dana. You got any big findings?"

“What?! I… haha! Ok, sure! Anonymity is overrated! Love the spotlight. Awesome. What’s the story, huh? What are you talking about? If it’s what I’m thinking, I might have some critical information for you!”

"We were talking to the fungus about the fungus. Not sure how this involves you, unless you feel like confessing to crimes."

"We're talking about the disease taking this city, Dana. We're talking about the truth."

“I’d like to confess someone else’s crimes, to be honest! It’s relevant. Grace went by that name too, right? Fungus? She’s a relevant party, haha! Hope it’s not a problem to out her culpability, I can’t imagine it would be now. The truth. A disease. I can get behind that, pal! The truth is, there’s something much more tangible than societal unrest to be worried about!” My voice sounds a little hysterical, like I’m way too overexcited for the rest of me to keep up with.

"Fungus, hang up the phone."

“Don’t you fucking dare!”

"Okay I'm hanging upp last chance Dana!" Grobber moves his finger dramatically to hang up.

“Carolyn Blythe killed her! She killed Michelle, she killed Grace, and I could be next! Haha!”

7:25 PM

“The police won’t arrest her! I don’t know how, but they’ve been bought out. Some mob connection, maybe? I’ve got a lot of enemies I’m making right now!”

"Yay!"

"…Grace- That’s…" Fredrick sounds like he’s dying.

"We're on every story. We're all over it. The Fungus has got everything!"

7:27 PM

"This story has everything!"

“She ‘helped’ your daughter in more ways than one, Fred! Took advantage of everything she could in order to fulfill the requirements for her fetishistic murder compulsion. Hmmmmm, don’t think a therapist is supposed to get quite that close with clients! And I know she’ll find out about this eventually. Even if I can’t directly present proof, this’ll spread like wildfire. Especially when you look at her history of ‘jobs’ — that list’s the roster of a morgue, you know. Hah! Just a little humor. Lighten the mood for primetime. Anyway, when she sees this, I want her to know. I want her to understand that I could kill her in a second if I wanted to. But why would I give you that? I’m gonna take everything from you, Carrie. One by one. The only person I’ll accept dying in that body is a hollow, broken shell of a soul. Suck my dick! Call me later if you want to talk, The Fungus. This is live, right? Just want to make sure I don’t get cockblocked by bullshit here.”

Fredrick squirms.

"Okaydanaloveyabye." Grobber hangs up.

((Channel split))

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

"And that's the kinda thing we do, Fredrick. This touches everyone. But now we have a name."

"That’s… This isn’t the sort of platform for speculation."

"Of course. In theres nothing wrong with Belto Shelk. I love ya, buddy."

"Can we get back on track, please?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course, pal. What's your next question?"

"Er… Right. Where- Where were we?"

"Listen, Fredrick. When do you think you're gonna die?"

"When it comes." He tries to shrug uncaringly, but he’s still visibly shaken.

"Mhm. But it comes, right? You only got so much time left, man. How has your week been, man? Had a good week?"

"Not particularly."

"Well what's it gonna be like, man? You got- you got how many weeks left? Maybe just a few hundred, and they're all gonna pass. There's no going back, Fredrick."

"I think I’m free to live however I want."

"That's the truth of it all, Fredrick. We can fit into our habits, do what we think we want, do what they expect us to do, or we can do what we want. We can make our own futures. We can bring it all to pass."

"So that’s your message to the people?"

"Yeah. Just think about it."

"Just… Be free? Why be free under your name, then?"

"We're a good spiritual home for the enlightened."

"Wouldn’t the government say the same?"

"The government have had their time, and theyve made this world how it is. We just want to tip the scales."

"How so?"

"End the plight of the suffering."

"And how are you gonna do that? All you’ve said is that you’re going to make things worse for everyone."

"You've gotta take things back to make it so that anybody has anything!"

"What?"

"To make it equitable to humans around the earth, we have to take shit back! Stick it to the man!"

"Wouldn’t everyone just starve?"

"People have lived off the Earth for millennia, Fredrick, I mean neither of us can deny that. The earth provides, time and time again."

"But you’re advocating for us to be rid of everything!"

"Not everything, not every thing. See, I don't want words put in my mouth. We just want to fight back. Punch a few holes in the system. We just want to be heard."

"You’re so vague though. What are those holes?"

"Fungusers, I want you to swarm at this address." He gives the address of the office. "It is here that I will give my first sermon. I'll see you there."

((This office?))

yes

"Hey, not here!"

"Right here at this office. You can ask Fredrick why he's given me these questions."

"Absolutely not. Security will kick them out. People, don’t listen to this lunatic."

"It'll be incredible! They'll show you how media is made."

"No we will not! Is this a joke to you, Fungus?"

"Is it really all a joke, though?"

"You think you can just come on here and make a mockery of us? That you can start blasting accusations about my daughter's murder? To go and claim she’s fucking her therapist? Is that what the fungus stands for?"

"Make a mockery of you? You've made a mockery of yourself, Fredrick. You really think anybody gives a shit?"

8:52 PM

"You really think it was ever in your hands to begin with?"

"You think anybody gives a shit about you? Rich kid with all the money in the world preaching to people they should give up what they have!"

"Money? Show me my money. Show me my house. Show me my riches. You think you're speaking from anywhere? You live at-" Grobber says the address where he watched Fredrick. "You think you can say I live in richness? I eat fucking frozen pizza and Panda Express in my childhood bedroom of the house my parents bought in the '80s!"

"And who’s fault is that, huh? Did someone force you to waste the inheritance money? Did society make you suffer? No, you’re the problem! You’re always the problem!"

"You think I ever wanted this? No. It chose me. I just saw it as it was! I'm just speaking about it as it is."

"What chose you? Gluttony?"

"I was chosen by THE FUNGUS! And it SPREADS!"

"You’re delusional! You poisoned Grace, didn’t you? You… You ruined her! You kept her from home, you got her addicted, you’re the devil on her shoulder! You broke her, didn’t you? You’re a fucking curse!"

"L-Last I saw Grace she was with you. We rode it out for years completely fine. Just a couple days after she stays behind in your office, she ends up dead. I'm not the curse, I'm the cure."

"You think she was fine then? She was broken! Shattered! A shadow of her former self! She ran back to me, but it was too late. Because no one can cure being close to you, can they? I took pity on you, gave you a message to send to the people… And you’ve done nothing but bite the hand that feeds you!"

"Grace wanted to be the Fungus, she was so desperate she took the account and posted on it while she was still alive! Even when I was gone, she understood that The Fungus needed to carry on. And then she was killed. After a few days of investigating a conspiracy that led back to you! I wonder..."

He gets up and glares at Grobber for a few moments before speaking. "You ever hear of that story, the scorpion and the frog? The scorpion dooms them both because even when he stands only to lose, poisoning others is all he knows. All he can do. I think you’re our scorpion, Fungus."

"Alright, friend. Good luck with your other daughter. Hopefully your influence on her doesn't lead her to turn out like Grace... again?"

Fredrick lunges at him, and the crew immediately cut the cameras.

Grobber attempts to back out of the way of the first attack.

((Roll))

10.

Grobber is hit, but crew members immediately pull Fredrick off of him. "You son of a bitch!"

"Safe for TV, huh? You think you're working after this? You think you have a job? You think you can feed your family?"

"It’ll move on. It always does." Fredrick. "Sir, please leave." Security tells this to Grobber.

Grobber adjusts his shirt. "I think I can speak from here."

"Please leave, or we’ll have to remove you." Security.

Grobber slowly steps out of the film set.

People are gathering outside the building.

Grobber finds a place to stand up a little higher and stands on it.

They look up at him.

"...I was just forced out of there. They removed me. I was attempting to speak the truth, then I was attacked, and now they removed me. I wonder what's inside that they're trying to hide from us!"

((End session))

((Saturday))

They’re listening.

"I wanted to ask you. Haven't you all noticed that every day is the same? That you just keep on doing the same behaviors, over and over, like an ape in a zoo? That the status quo never really changes, things just get worse and worse?"

"Yeah!!!"

"They're keeping the common man down on purpose! Today, I wanted to introduce you to one of the greatest architects of society that keeps the common person down: the media!" (edited)

"Yeah!!!!!"

"Big conglomerates like this, they're just bread and circuses for the masses! Did you see what happened when people started to report on the truth? I'd stake everything on it."

"Yeah!!!!!!"

"And the owner had me arrested for a crime I didn't commit! Motherfucker knew what he was doing! They will result to using violence to remove us!"

"It’s resort, but yeah!!!!!"

"...but, well.." Grobber sits on the edge of the podium. "There is a problem. I can't do anything about it. Not alone."

They listen eagerly.

"...They got me in chains here, I mean chains! They put me in prison. But I'm just saying. They can't get all of us."

"Yeah!"

Grobber walks to the entrance of the station. "Let me in! Please!"

The crowd charges in.

Grobber strolls inside and attempts to go back to the room where the operating equipment is.

The security is too busy with the crowd to stop him. He arrives there without issue.

He attempts to turn the broadcast back on.

((Roll))

15.

Grobber turns the camera on.

Is he live? (edited)

To his knowledge.

"Alright." He stands in front of the camera. "Alright everyone. I've been peacefully let inside, and I am declaring this station FUNGAL TV. WELCOME TO FUNGAL! This is our first ever programming block, and I've decided that I want to reach out. Talk to the people. Go ahead and tweet me at @FungalMessiah."

4:24 PM

"I'll answer your questions."

What feels like a million question pop in.

Grobber will read them in the order they have the most likes.

4:29 PM

"If you look at my birth certificate, right there, on my name, is Grobber Brentwood, yeah."

4:32 PM

"Wight's daughter and I were soul partners. Her loss... it has left me fractured. We were deeply close. Our relationship was... not just physical."

"Sh-iiit, yeah. Carolyn Blythe is a therapist. Or, at least, that's her day job, heh. In reality, Carolyn Blythe is a strong soldier of the Fungus, whether she believes it or not. Her dad's Ed, like. The Edlightenment guy. The suicide guy. I think she has a similar thing going on? Like, she'll take people in until they reach some high point, and then she'll kill them. Or she'll make them kill themselves? It's all an adherence to some trivial ideology, parental issues, and an inability to legitimately engage with people on human grounds. She has shown so many people the light- she has awakened so many to the misery all around us. So, all in all, very, very Fungal. She ran her game on this Michelle girl, and then Grace kind of slipped into her hands. She was also working with Gus Amon for a while, until he died as well? For all I know, that could have been Carolyn too. Of course, she did take my life partner away. I am... deeply mortified by this loss. I have some cross words for her." (edited)

"All it took was one bad day. I lost everything. And then I saw how little it always meant."

5:11 PM

"The Joker was very Fungal, very ahead of his time, that's for sure. But the Joker was trivial. I'm something bigger. Also, the Joker didn't have powers. I have powers."

5:13 PM

"I'm afraid that is a Fungal secret for another day. But when you give to the Fungus, the Fungus will give in return."

5:15 PM

Grobber purses his lips at his phone, then air-jerks for a few strokes before resting his hand on his thigh. (edited)

5:17 PM

"It's just like art. You know, sometimes you see something, and that's. Good. It's bad. That's Punk. That's Jazz. That's Emo. Saying something is 'Fungal' is an artistic statement. It is a sign of class. Batman is so, very fungal. Superman? Not so much. That's why Batman outsells Superman. Hip-hop? Fungal for sure. Country? Not Fungal. You see, when you are with the Fungus it ingrains itself all the way down. To know Fungal is to Know the Fungus."

5:21 PM

Grobber coughs a few moments, before looking up what JohnsFilms is.

The YouTube name for Jackson Day up until his death. The channel he and 8 others share is called Team 9.

What kind of stuff did Jackson Day make?

Prank videos.

Were they mean? How big was his following?

Very popular. They seem very invasive but in stupid ways.

"Yes, JohnsFilms is Fungal. Fun fact: I actually met Bob Smith in the clink. Great guy. He's a Fungushead for sure. He beat the shit out of me."

5:31 PM

"Bob Smith, or should I say- The Elusive Sentasaurus!" Grobber subtly mimes jacking off again. (edited)

Grobber has run out of useful questions.

"Hah, well, I'm glad that I could tap a live wire into you. This is our moment. You and me. Together. I'll see you soon." Grobber walks away to check the status of the building.

Seems like the police are arriving.

Grobber nods to himself, cracks his neck. "HEY! THEY HAVE GUNS! SOMEONE KEEP A CAMERA ON THEM SO THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING DANGEROUS!" He descends down, and takes a dominant, defiant pose in the lobby.

The crowd starts filming the police.

"What are you pigs doing! Here to shoot us? To stab us? To pull the rope around the neck of society so the dick can get off just a little harder?"

"You’re all under arrest for trespassing."

"We've RECLAIMED! this land! This is ours! We ought to be able to tell our truth! You can't take it away from us! Everybody is Still Listening! Everybody wants to listen! Please!"

"Surrender or there will be consequences!"

Grobber bares his chest out. "This is our place Our rightful home! A-and I'll defend it!"

They take out guns.

Grobber puts his hand out. "Stop! You will be cursed by the Fungus!"

A bullet grazes his side.

"You don't understand... I'll do anything..."

"This is your last warning!"

Grobber stands tall, and leans forward. "IT GROWS!"

((End session))

((Saturday))

A detective Grobber would recognize as Howard Scott from the Michelle case files stepped through the cops. "Calm down! Everyone, let’s calm down here."

He looks like this.

Grobber bares his chest a little bit more, before sighing and returning to his original position. "Yes, yes! There is a peaceful way out of this!"

"The fungus, right?" Howard looked at Grobber.

"Yeah. Fungus speaking."

Howard looked him up and down."Underwhelming."

"We're a decentralized movement. I'm just the mouthpiece."

"This building isn't yours. I'm gonna have to kindly ask you to leave."

"Where did Fredrick Wight go? We have questions for him."

"I'm not gonna answer that. If you'd let these people get back to work, I'm sure you'll be able to reach him on his work email."

"You think I'd freely trust you? You represent the side that was just about to slaughter us! You just want our blood to soil the streets!"

"...Heh. And isn't that so fungal of me?" He smirked sarcastically.

Grobber looks around. "I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to lead these people out of here so you can put us all in chains."

"Look... I'm fine with believing you're dumb enough to mean well here... But if you don't disperse, these people really are going to have to hurt you. You really sure you'd rather die than be in these chains?"

"I'd rather die standing than live kneeling. But I cannot wager on the lives of the people around me."

"Yes, you can. That's what a leader does. You tell everyone when and where to die."

"...A leader? Hm." He swallows. "I'm gonna be real with you. I-I'm. Like. Howard Scott, this is Grobber Brentwood speaking. I can't leave until the fate of these people has been clarified. I just can't."

"Then you’d better tell 'em to run quick."

Grobber turns around to the crowd. "Fellas. Fungi. Lords, ladies, and other esteemed peers. My fellows. I hope you had some fun. Some of us will have a date. But most of you will make it out. You know, anybody could start something. We all have the power to wrest it into our arms. The system is so strong, but it is really so weak. Any of us could make a difference." He turns back around to Howard. "SCATTER!" He runs directly to the line of police.

The people scatter run away. Howard moves aside.

What are the police doing?

They’re just watching Grobber for now.

Is anybody chasing the scattering crowd?

They seem like they want to, but Howard is keeping them in line.

Grobber will watch them leave for at least half a minute before turning around to the cops. "Well?"

Howard opens a door on the back of a police car. "Get in."

Grobber extends his hands in fists to Howard, with an expression of offering on his face.

"Just get in."

Grobber looks around. Is any of the crowd still around?

They’re gone.

Grobber gets in the back of the police car.

Howard shuts the door and starts driving.

"Did James have a hair appointment?"

"You really sure you want to talk to her again? Last I heard, she was talking about asking for the death sentence with you."

"Oh my god, really!?" Grobber lurches forward, barely trying to maintain disgusting, wet laughter. "I-I'm sorry. I-I-" He laughs for a few uninterrupted moments. "I know this must be so insufferably aloof from this perspective. It's just that-" He laughs some more. "Oh my god. The death penalty? She is an unreasonably easy woman to upset."

"She’s always so wound up. Not really a powerful brag to say you pissed her off."

"Like I said- it's about her being easy. I'm not- Listen, I don't think I'm some kind of- I'm just a guy, right? Like... I am under no... I'm just a dude."

"Some kind of what?"

"Some kind of god."

"Heh."

"You asked, pal. You hear anything about some mobster dying?"

"You could say that. What about it?"

"Nice. I'm surprised they actually managed to do it."

"You know… This actually does bring me to my main topic. That guy isn’t the big boss here."

"...It's not Jeff Johnner? Or it's not... Shuichi Maoziwam? Or it's not.... Belto Shelk?"

"Huh. You’re smarter than you look, I guess. The guy at the top is Shuichi Maoziwam."

"Yeah. Shuichi has Johnner and Gus working for him, and they were funneling money to... something? Gus siphoned it from Sean Niebel and I. Gus and Johnner have been put out of the picture. So now it's Shuichi... doing what?"

"That… I don’t know. But I’m an opportunist." Howard pulled over in front of Grobber’s house. "And you sound perfect for this."

"Perfect for what?"

"To stop Shuichi Maoziwam. He’s rich. He’s got a million tricks up his sleeve. He’s got most cops too, I wager. But you’ve got what he’ll never have. People who want to follow you. And that can do some real damage."

"...So you just want me t-to take down Shuichi Maoziwam? That's- that's it? That's.... that's all I have to do?"

"I’ll handle the last stretch. But yeah, pretty much. In exchange, I’ll get those cops out of your house."

"Okay. We're all in on Maoziwam. That's the plan."

Howard got out and opened Grobber's door. "Good luck."

"Yeah. Thanks." Grobber stands up and gets out of the car.

3:57 PM

He stretches and looks to his house.

There are a few cops still there. Howard approached. "Pack it up, boys. You’ve seen everything you need to already."

Grobber takes a moment to check how the Fungus is doing on social media right now. Are people talking about it?

Everyone is talking about it.

He gives a happy sigh and goes to Fritz's house.

Fritz isn’t home.

"Hm." He checks the time as he walks back to his house.

It’s getting very late.

Grobber checks his phone and decides to call Dana.

She doesn’t pick up.

4:17 PM

The cops have left his house. Howard’s face is slightly bruised, but he’s as smirking as ever. (edited)

Did they fucking

4:17 PM

Beat him up?

4:17 PM

What?

4:17 PM

Grobber goes up to Howard. "What the hell happened?"

"You could say the others don’t like me very much. Usually they stick to words, but I guess I’ve been pushing my luck lately."

"...I hope your house stays in order, man. Good luck out there. Thanks for the help." He takes a few steps to his house.

"See ya, Fungus." Howard got into his car.

He goes into the house and takes a look around.

There’s a chalk outline of a body in the living room.

Grobber swallows and sits down next to it. What is it doing?

It’s pose isn’t noteworthy, but it has no clear head outline.

He looks at it and takes a deep breath in. Is there a rug anywhere in the house?

((Your choice))

He takes a large rug and puts it over the chalk outline, then breathes out. Any other changes?

It’s clear the police have searched through the place, but the only thing missing in the entire house is the special bong.

". . ."

4:27 PM

"Hm."

4:28 PM

He goes to his computer and sits down.

The computer is unaltered.

"Fantastic. The altar..."

4:38 PM

He goes to his bed and lays down in it, staring at the ceiling.

This happens.

He puts his hands behind his head. "...No. It's fine. It's fine."

4:52 PM

"..."

4:52 PM

"..."

4:53 PM

"So cold..."

4:53 PM

Grobber gets out of bed and goes to the thermostat and turns it up a few degrees.

The house becomes warmer.

He goes back to the living room and moves the rug. Is there any blood anywhere? Anything that is moved in seems more substantive than having just been searched through?

The blood has soaked into the floor.

Where is it in relation to the body? Did any get on the walls?

It’s around the head. It got onto the wall too.

Grobber stands on the other side of the chalk outline from where the blood is, where the shooter would be standing. He holds his arm outstretched, mimicking a gun's shape like a child. He pulls the trigger.

5:01 PM

"..."

He’s standing to her side.

"No mysteries left. Nothing to be done. It's all been done for me. All used up. Used up..."

5:07 PM

He puts the rug back and goes back to his room, but he stops at the door.

5:08 PM

Without turning any lights on, he navigates to his parents' room, opens the door, and gets in bed.

His parents' room is the same as ever.

((Wait were you trying to say he’s sleeping))

Grobber swallows and goes to bed.

((End chapter))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

Finale: Advehnt Guard

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber woke up in the bed the next morning.

He cracks his neck and looks around the room, wincing. It's been a while. He didn't realize he would have to see it in the light.

It hasn’t really changed.

Grobber looks at the ceiling. "...All these years, wasted." He gets up, goes to his parent's nightstand, and knocks everything off. "The rest of my life. It begins today."

11:36 AM

He goes and gets a joint, a bottle of scotch, and a coffee. He'll move a living room chair to his front porch, and slowly consumes all three. (edited)

11:36 AM

Or if the house doesnt have a front porch like right outside the front door

"Good morning, Grobber." Fritz calls out to him from his house.

"Howdy, Fritz! It's a beautiful morning!"

11:39 AM

"You're looking fine today!"

He looks up at the sky grimly. "I see no such difference."

"It's an expression I've picked up from my fellow Earthlings. It means that out of spite for an uncaring universe, I am going to do everything in my power to fake a smile so that I can get done what I need to get done."

"Hm." Fritz allows a bitter smile to rise to his face. "It seems you’ve learned well, then."

"You know, I used to think I was ahead of the curve on all this shit, but I think everybody's already on it. I'm just seeing the world as it is. Articulating it." He drinks the scotch until near empty, then holds it up in offering to Fritz.

Fritz holds his hand up to reject it. "I need to remain sober today."

"Hell yeah, man." Grobber chucks the bottle into the road, followed by the empty coffee mug. "Hey, you got a cell phone?"

"I make do with a home phone. Why?"

"Just gonna let you know to give me a call if the timing ever felt right. It's no substitute for a man-to-man conversation, but the right words at the wrong time can be counted on to make things turn out great."

"Hm. I’m afraid I’m most certainly not the man to receive inspiration from. I find it quite unlikely I shall even make it through the day."

"...So this day's special, huh? You and the cat both said the same thing."

"A cat?" He looks at the smashed bottle of scotch as if deducing something.

"...or a dog, maybe? All fades together. I think there's a joke with that, but I honestly couldn't be assed. Feel like I'm not supposed to get it." A slight twinge of anger makes it's way through Grobber's cool exterior. "Fritz, you are a profoundly unstable character who has driven me even further into psychosis. Your cool exterior belies what is perhaps the most twisted interior psychology of anybody I have ever known. Your ideology is obviously self-defeating and antisocial from the outset, and regardless of any more global "truth", is an extremely stunted lens through which to view the world. Children in Africa that die of tuberculosis at age six have lived more than you ever have. You're the emptiness inside all people, with a sheet haphazardly draped across your head. When you die, you will not deserve a grave, and I have an odd feeling that you will not receive one. I will mourn you nonetheless. You are the greatest font of wisdom I have ever lapped upon, and my greatest friend. There are so many on my trail I have shared my misery with, but you, and not the universe, are the only person who has helped me understand it. In your name, I will set a lot of things on fire."

He doesn’t seem to know how to react to that, but it’s certainly a stronger reaction than he’s ever let on before.

Grobber finishes his joint, spits the roach out, and then steps on it with his bare foot. "You got a favorite flower?"

"I find it favourable not to play favourites." He answers plainly, before seeming to reconsider. "…But dandelions are admirable in their own way."

"I used to have these dreams about dandelions, recurring like at least once every month. It was just this endless empty field of dandelions. Rolling hills of dandelions. Some huge, mountain-sized dandelions, millions of tiny dandelions. You blow one away and five come back to replace them. And everything's flying, and floating. And at some point, you take a wrong step and fall, and then the dream's over. You know, you don't dream when you're high. Falling asleep feels amazing, but you get no dreams. You do too much dreaming when you're awake, so there's nothing left when you close your eyes. Only darkness. I haven't seen those dandelions in years."

"Perhaps you ought to get more sober once in a while, then."

Grobber looks up at the sky. "What I'd see... what I'd feel... Maybe. Once in a while. But not today, never today. Like you said, we've got to be on our best game today, you hear?"

"It seems so." He nods.

Grobber stands up and prepares to go back inside. "See you on the other side, man."

"I can’t say I believe in luck, and yet… May it be on your side, Grobber."

He nods. "I'll fuck shit up either way. Smell ya later, gramps." Grobber goes back inside.

"Heya, Fungo." Ehn is in his home.

"Shit!" He jumps in genuine shock. "Christ. This is like. My house and shit." He shakes it off, then goes to his fridge and starts pulling out more bottles of liquor, which he'll haphazardly pour into five or six flasks. "What's going on, beast?"

"Well, your last item is gone, remember? I can’t let you do this whole thing without another ability…"

"Oh, shit, right. Carolyn probably grabbed it." Grobber stops what hes doing to crouch down and give Ehn some obviously wanted pets. "What you got in store for me, cute little Fungus servant?"

Ehn accepts the pets even if it’s physically impossible for it to touch her. "I’m not a servant. I’m god."

"The Fungus is capital G God. They win."

"I’m capital E Ehn."

"And I'm capital G Grobber! Our own holy trinity."

"I’m above your level!"

"That's for history to decide, friend." Grobber raises back up, goes back to the now half-empty bottle of liquor, and begins to patrol from bathroom to bathroom, pouring in any medication that has documented psychedelic side effects back into the bottle.

"I’ve given your neighbour an ability. I’m not telling him obviously, so follow me."

"Graaaaghhhh..... fine. I'll wait, but only because you're adorable." Grobber will set the medicine bottles and his in-progress concoction down in the kitchen and follow Ehn.

Ehn leaves the house.

Grobber follows Ehn.

She stops in front of a mushroom growing out of the ground.

Grobber looks at it. "Woah. What's that?"

"It’s a mushroom. I thought you’d be the expert."

"Oh shit, for real? You know, I dont think I've ever seen one before."

1:13 PM

He leans down and pets it.

1:16 PM

"Usually when I get them... they're... already processed. Dried, to maximize potency."

"Eat it whenever you’re ready for the whole endgame thing."

"How long does it last?"

"How should I know? It’s magic."

Grobber picks it and stuffs it away. "Thank you, Ehn. Every good thing that's ever happened to me is a result of someone bailing me out, and this is the best bailout I've ever gotten."

"Sure, let that be your character arc who cares."

"Like when Mario touches the star..." He nods. "Will I ever get to know what your deal is?"

"My deal is I’m god. I’m not one of you characters, obviously."

"Nah, god is supposed to be scary. Nobody cares that gods made everything, just that they have the capacity to take it all back. How are you god, if you're so adorable?"

"Goodbye, Fungus. I didn’t do any of this for you."

Grobber grins and walks away, back to his house.

1:47 PM

He walks into his room, cracks his neck, and absolutely demolishes his house for drugs. He turns up everything he can find, and puts them all in his potion. I'm talking THC oil, clonazolam, kratom extract, raw opium, anything he can get his hands on. He'll take it back to his kitchen, dump a bunch of food coloring in it, take out a black sharpie, and write "SPIRIT BOMB" on it.

Then, he'll get out his phone, set it up so that the camera is facing him with the kitchen in the background. The spirit bomb is prominent, as are all the flasks, medicine bottles, and all the other vestiges of sensation left in this room. He'll go live on Twitter on his Fungus account. "Hey everyone, sorry about the mess, but I'm a bit of a meal prepper if you will, so I was making my Boy Dinner. Yesterday was fun, and a lot of talk, but today, I'm feeling like some action. Listen. There's a lot of rotten fuckers in this town who are just here to laugh and dunk on people like us. All of Avengard is absolutely rotten with 'em. But in reality, most of them are just feeding off the piggies at the top, who call the shots. There's one in particular that runs things in this town, silences people like me, keeps us all in line. Shuichi Maoziwam. Pathetic fuckin' loser. He's all that's wrong about this world- a fat shit that everybody hates, but every individual fucker is too small to flush the toilet by themselves. So I say let's rattle this cage we're in. Show them who's boss, and have some fun while doing it. Let's give him a lot to regret. Let's lay him out and show him the ugliness of this world he's fostered, give him a taste of his own medicine until he chokes on it. In Minecraft, of course." He smiles at the camera. "He's hiding away quite the goose egg, too. Maybe if we're able to breach his lair, if we're able to erase the line that divides him and us, we can all take home a fat chunk of dosh, right? Again, in Minecraft, naturally. I'll see you on the streets. I promise, if we get it all working together, we can make some magic happen. I love you all. Stay beautiful."

After this, he'll go to his parents bathroom, take off his clothes, and begin taking a bath.

2:14 PM

Five or so minutes in, he'll reach into his pocket to grab his phone, put it on speaker, and call Dana.

She picks up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / dana-and-grobber

((Hi))

"Hey girl heeeeeeeeyyyyyy"

“Mm. What’s up? I just… I just woke up, dude.”

"I'm in the bath myself." He starts filing his nails. "You got any big plans today?"

Recalling what’s going on and waking up further, I remember that I’m annoyed. “Not particularly.” I mutter.

"Niiice... hey. Quick question, you got any thoughts on Shuichi Maoziwam?"

“What? No. I mean, yeah, sure. Like, I know who he is. I think he’s kind of a shithead from what I’ve read. Why?”

"You wanna break into his house and fuck him up a little bit?"

“Grobber, why are you asking me about this?” I take an incredibly loud sip of coffee.

"You like. Kill gangsters and shit, right? I'm just like. You know. I'm just a... you know."

“I’ve never killed anyone.” I state honestly(*). “I’m not joining something as obviously risky as that with as vague a goal as ‘Fucking Someone Up’. Do— do you think, like, I’m ride or die for you??? We met once, for some incredibly incidental reason, and I thought you were probably alright. Our solitary connection is that you fucked someone we mutually knew who is now gone. Is there a better reason you wanted to speak to me, or are we done here?”

You hear a low chuckling from the other end, and Grobber waits a few moments to file his last few nails before speaking. "That's great, beast. Glad you got that all off your chest. I'm the perfect guy to talk to like that, so I'm glad you're catching on. Listen. Because you've been so loose with your info, I'll let you see one of the cards I'm holding. This shit all comes to a head today. Regardless of what you choose to do in the next hour, the two of us are gonna run into each other out there, and we're both gonna be swinging. Whether we're swinging at or for each other depends on the choices you make. My intentions? I've made them perfectly clear. I'm gonna be storming hell castle to take down King Kong Hitler himself, and I'm going to win. Haven't figured out what I'm gonna do after that, but I'm sure it'll come naturally. As for before? I thought I might get a few side quests in, or I might run straight for the flag. Either way, I'm assembling a band of merriment, and everyone that joins gets to sip off my best stuff. I'm pulling out the Fine China and the Mario Star for this one, so I figured you wouldn't want to miss it. I'll let you take the first sip if you pull up to Maoziwam's. It'll be obvious when it's about to go down. Dana, degenerate to degenerate, please take some time to calm down before you talk to anybody else. You sound pathetic. Figure out whose team you're on, or you'll be sitting on the bench the whole game. Okay love ya byeeeeeeee" He hangs up.

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

Grobber finishes his bath, puts his clothes back on, then takes a swig of his Spirit Bomb.

2:48 PM

He looks at his face in the mirror and punches it.

This succeeds.

(This is a good stopping point for me if it works for you)

((End session))

((Are you still busy next week I forgot))

I'm not, but I am the week after

((Saturday))

((Hi))

(Hey)

2:03 PM

Grobber storms out of the bathroom and paces out of the house. "Fuck... whaddo I do, whaddo I do?"

Fritz isn’t around anymore.

Grobber checks his phone for big news of things happening in the city.

Nothing exciting yet.

Is anybody posting about his livestream?

The news definitely isn’t, but it’s making the rounds online.

"Hm." Grobber checks his phone to see if Bob Smith has posted anything recently.

Nothing.

"Hmmm..."

2:14 PM

Grobber hires an Uber to drive him to Shelk Prison.

The uber drives him all the way to the prison.

He slicks his hair back, smiles, and walks inside.

The guards are immediately on alert when they see him.

Is he in the main prison area, or is he stuck in an outsider zone?

He’s stuck in the outsider zone.

He walks up to one of the guards. "Is Bob Smith still kept here?"

"No. He’s been transferred out of state."

"...Damn. Can I see Ideology Overdrive?"

"…Alright. We’ll go get him."

Grobber smiles and walks to the meeting room.

IO is in the meeting room. "TF! There you are…"

"Hey, IO. What's up! How you've been?"

"Bored… LM wouldn’t let me do anything with JD now he’s gone apparently."

"Shame! Bob Smith, out of state? He would've been great here, but I'm sure he's doing big things."

2:26 PM

"Now, I wanted to ask you... what do you think about walking around outside for a while?"

"Is that a joke?"

"No, it's real! Today's the day, IO!"

"What day?"

"The day you see ideology go global."

"As exciting as that sounds… I can’t leave!"

"Why not? What's stopping you? The only thing you have to lose is your chains!"

"I’m not wearing chains." He shows his hands.

"Then there's nothing stopping you."

"TAP’s staying here ‘til the end."

"...Then fine. Stay if you want, I don't care." He looks legitimately bitter. "Just let me in so I can help get everyone else out."

"Nuh-uh! This is how things have to go! So says ideology."

"How things have to go, huh? Says Ideology, oh of course! Fuck you, dude! You have the opportunity to do one thing besides sitting in a prison, and you turn that shit away. Because that's what people with an ideology do. They don't do anything, huh?"

"I do plenty! I’m the king of TAP!"

Grobber pulls Ideology close. "Let. Me. In."

"Guaaaaaaards!" He calls out.

Grobber punches Ideology in the face.

((Roll))

13.

It hits, but doesn’t hurt him too much. Grobber is forcefully pulled out of the room.

"FUCK YOU DUDE! FUCK YOU! IDEOLOGY COCKSUCKER!"

"Aha-ha! There! Put your ideology into overdrive." IO yells back. Grobber is kicked out of prison.

"NO! LET ME IN! I ATTACKED SOMEONE! I! I JUST- God-" He kicks the ground. "Dammit!"

3:00 PM

"God-" He swallows. "Fine... it's fine... it's fine."

3:02 PM

"It's fine."

3:03 PM

"...So Bob's MIA, Dana's a question mark, TAP is out, Carolyn... no... Fritz is gone..."

3:05 PM

"No Jeff Johnner... uhm..."

3:05 PM

Grobber calls Naomi Kidink.

She doesn’t pick up.

"Haha, yeah, alright. Makes sense. Yeah."

3:09 PM

Grobber bites his lip. "Shit... no Jeff Johnner, no Ehn, I blew any headway I had with Grace's dad or sister. Grace..."

3:10 PM

"I don't really wanna tangle with either cop... uhm..."

3:11 PM

Grobber goes back to the convenience store from more than a week ago.

It’s a normal convenience store.

Who's attending it?

No one relevant.

The Fungus walks up to them. "Hey... do you wanna storm... Shuichi Maoziwam's house... with me?"

"What? No."

"But it's for justice! And you could get a lot of money... and it would be fun. I'd make it fun. I promise!"

"Please leave."

"Do you want anything? I could- I'm sorry. What could I have done differently?"

“I have no idea who you are."

"But there still- there must have been something I could've said, right? Some combination of words and actions that would've had you help me."

“No?"

"I'm The Fungus. I'm... I'm The Fungus!"

"Like a mushroom? Are you on shrooms?"

"No! I am! The Fungus!"

"Is that… Supposed to mean something to me?"

"Have you never heard of the Fungus... that's me, man?"

"Never heard of you."

"...Okay then." The Fungus leaves the store.

3:32 PM

He nods to himself. "Okay, okay." He looks on his phone, and checks for another nearby convenience store.

"Where are you going?" Ehn.

"I'm going to another convenience store. To try again."

"Just eat the mushroom… You don’t need help here."

"I- I wanted to save the mushroom."

3:34 PM

"For when I really needed it."

"You need it now it’s not like an emergency thing."

"...Oh. Okay. Ah- gotcha."

3:35 PM

"ahem-" Grobber quickly reaches into his pocket and scarfs down the mushroom.

The city is laid out in front of Grobber like this. Shuichi Maoziwam is the black king. The white king is a mushroom. Every other white piece represents random mobs of people Grobber has on his side. The black pieces probably also represent this, but they’re not recognizable to him. Grobber can only move pieces according to the rules of chess.

Grobber looks up. "No way... does this do?"

The rest of the world is completely black. He's floating in an abyss with a chessboard.

Grobber bites his lip. E2 E4.

The image of Shuichi Maoziwam appears from the void. "Hm. I figured it'd be boring if you were to play against no one." He moves C7 to C5.

"You're here. I hate you! Now, I will destroy you, encircle you and burn you to dust."

3:49 PM

Grobber moves the knight on b1 to c3.

D7 to D6. "...Sure. But don't bother repeating this experience to Shuichi if you manage to win. This isn't that sort of strictly canon arrangement."

"Do you know how much I see... how much I've seen on the fringes of reality? What do you think my life is like. How much of the things I see do you think are real?" Grobber moves the bishop on F1 to B5. Check.

"True enough, I suppose." Bishop from C8 to D7. "Though it's not like me conceding you were right about being insane is much of a victory on your part."

Grobber does not look as he takes the bishop on d7 with his own bishop. One for another. "You must be so miserable... imagine a world where any person would choose to side with me, instead of with you."

"Heh. I know that world is reality, don't worry. I've learned plenty of times now that when you try to help someone all they'll do is hate you for it. They're desperate to feel like they're the important ones changing the world. That's how your sort of desperate movement gets started." Knight from B8 to D7.

Grobber engages his knight as well, from g1 to f3. "Help them? I wouldn't be here if you didn't leech all my money away. You didn't help me."

E7 to E6.

Grobber castles, kings side.

Knight in G8 to F6.

Grobber moves a2 to a4. "What's wrong? Not interested in following that up?"

Bishop in F8 to E7. "Not particularly." (edited)

Grobber moves his pawn to d3. "You know, no matter what, you've already lost. Everybody was already against you. I'm just the weapon they're using for it."

He castles, king's side. "You can't hurt me. Grobber."

"I literally can. We're all just people. I can face consequences, but nobody is safe." Rook f1 e1

H7 to H6. "You're talking to a drug hallucination, remember?"

Grobber plays h2 to h3. "It doesn't matter. By hook or by crook, it will happen. I believe."

A7 to A6.

Grobber moves his bishop from c1 to f4.

Queen on D8 to B6.

Grobber advances a4 to a5.

Queen on B6 to B2.

Grobber moves his queen from d1 to d2.

Knight on D7 to E5.

Bishop from f4 to E5. Knight captured. "An entire game, told in a single series of exchanges. A whole war, summarized in one battle."

D6 to E5. "Do you fancy yourself a poet?" (edited)

Grobber moves his rook from e1 to b1. "I fancy myself a prophet. Scripture is my native tongue." (edited)

Queen from B2 to A1.

Rook from b1 to a1.

Knight from F6 to D7.

Grobber moves his rook back from a1 to b1.

Rook on F8 to B8.

Knight from c3 to a4.

Bishop from E7 to F6. (edited)

(Bishop again lol)

4:35 PM

Grobber chuckles, shrugs, and advances his pawn from g2 to g3.

King from G8 to h7. "Something funny?"

Grobber moves his king from g1 to g2. "I'm copying you, we're both edging forward."

"Am I?" H7 to G8.

Grobber moves his queen to e3. "Well, I suppose we both had to realize it has to end sometime."

Bishop on F6 to E7. "Indeed. And it’s taking quite a while."

h3 to h4.

B7 to B5. (edited)

B6?

4:57 PM

(Sorry, when did you move your pawn to b6? Having trouble finding it)

4:58 PM

Grobber captures from a5 to b6. "Heh. En Passant."

"What was that? Those aren’t real words."

4:59 PM

A6 to A5.

"En Passant. It's a special pawn capturing move. When you move from b7 to b5, I can move from a5 to b6, and capture the pawn you moved to b5."

"Were you trying to say 'in passing'?"

"It's the name of the move." (Does the pawn get removed from the board)

((Yes))

5:01 PM

((You successfully did that))

Grobber sighs, and moves his queen to c1. "You're pathetic. Too easy."

Rook from A8 to A6. "You’ll be delighted to know I’m not trying that hard, then."

Grobber moves his knight from f3 to d2.

Bishop from e7 to d8.

b6 to b7.

Rook from A6 to A7.

Queen from c1 to b2. (edited)

Bishop from D8 to B6.

Knight from d2 to c4.

Rook from A7 to B7.

Queen from b2 to b5.

G7 to G5.

Knight from a4 to b6.

G5 to H4.

Queen from b5 to a5.

Knight from D7 to B6. (edited)

Knight from c4 to e5.

King from G8 to G7.

Rook from b1 to h1

H4 to H3.

Rook from h1 to h3.

Rook from B8 to H8.

Rook from h3 to h4.

H6 to H5.

Knight on e5 to f7. (edited)

((D7?))

5:35 PM

King from G7 to F7.

Queen from a5 to c3.

H8 to H6.

Queen from c3 to c5.

Knight from B6 to D7.

Rook from h4 to f4. Check.

Rook from H6 to F6.

Queen from c5 to h5.

King from F7 to E7.

Queen from h5 to g5.

E6 to E5.

Queen to g7. Check.

King to D6.

Rook from f4 to f6.

Knight from D7 to F6.

Queen from g7 to f6. Check.

King to C7.

Queen to f7. Check.

King to B8.

Queen from f7 to b7. Check.

King to B7. "You win, in essence. Does that satisfy you?"

"It will satisfy me when I see the outcome. This is my moment. My power, right? I have to destroy you." G3 to g4.

King to C6.

G4 g5.

King to C5.

G5 g6.

King to D4.

g6 g7.

King to C5.

G7 to G8. Queen.

King to D6.

Queen from G8 to D5. Check.

King to C7

D3 to d4.

King to B8.

d4 to e5.

"Now Shuichi literally can’t win. What are you expecting to happen?" King to A8.

Can't move king to A8. D5 covers it. "I expect to watch it happen. To live through it burning."

"Fine. A7." King to A7.

e5 e6.

King to B6. "You take an awful lot of personal interest in a completely meaningless round of chess. Even if it’s magic, which I’d assume it is because I’m not a moron… You can’t see any of it. They’re just toys."

E6 E7. "This is the culmination of everything! I'm cultivating my army. I've got to do it. And you clearly don't enjoy me spending time on it."

"Because it’s slow and meaningless." King to C7.

c7 to c8, queen.

King to B6.

"And yet, despite all that, you couldn't find it in you to sacrifice your position earlier, to succumb... that's okay. I enjoyed you prelonging this game." Queen from e8 to b8, Check.

King to A6. "I’m not even paying attention, okay? Don’t be smug. This is why I never come down here."

Queen to a2. Checkmate. "Fine enough with me."

"Goodbye, Fungus. Enjoy the fireworks." The chess realm disappears, and the Fungus finds himself in a room of Maoziwam's corporate headquarters. Mobs of people are storming the place, and employees running while security are overwhelmed. Through the window, Fungus can tell that the city is in a similar position. The Fungus are winning. ((End session))

Advehnt Guard

ehn-pc

12: Consequences

Advehnt Guard

Avengard / grobber-brentwood

The Fungus finds himself in a room of Maoziwam's corporate headquarters. Mobs of people are storming the place, and employees running while security are overwhelmed. Through the window, Fungus can tell that the city is in a similar position. The Fungus are winning.

"Yeah!!!! YEAHHHHH!!!! JUSTICE!!!!"

2:03 PM

Grobber looks around the room.

It’s a normal room, with nothing particularly notable inside it other than the chaos. It connects to several other rooms.

"Justice! Right everyone? Justice!"

"Justice!"

"YEAH!!!" Grobber wears a smile with crooked teeth as he skips through the doors around him to nearby rooms.

He arrives in a room full of confidential records eventually. "Fungus… You made it." Ehn appears behind him.

"...I made it to justice! I won! We did it, Fungus!"

2:33 PM

He'll walk to one of the things of records and peek inside of it.

Project EHN.

2:34 PM

That’s what the file is called.

"..."

2:35 PM

Grobber closes the file and looks at Ehn. "What."

"Eh, don’t worry. It’s got nothing to do with me. It’s just a coincidence."

"That name has no other meaning. You're. You expect me to believe- heh-"

2:37 PM

He swallows. "You expect me... to believe... it's some kind of coincidence?"

"Read it if you don’t believe me, I don’t care. I brought you here to read it in the first place."

Grobber pulls out the file and begins flipping through it, sweat beading on his forehead.

2:38 PM

"You didn't bring me anywhere. It's never been you. It's always. It's always me."

2:39 PM

"Never anyone else."

"Mr Brentwood, I really must insist you don’t read any further." A mechanically disguised voice spoke from a speaker. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. None of my concern." Ehn. Project EHN is a project conducted by The Advanced Participants in order to define the essence of a person. It was designed to be able to alter the human brain into becoming new personas that were designed by TAP. The ultimate goal was to create a second Shuichi Maoziwam with all of the memories and thought process of the first, but in a younger body. The next page covers the test subjects.

"WHAT!" Grobber closes the file, but holds it close to his chest in both arms. "Why are you going to try and... try and stop me!?"

"It would be ill advised." Voice. "Shut up FB, he’s getting to the good parts." Ehn.

"Who are you? You really think you're going to get me to stop by just saying this? You have n-nothing for me! I've raided your castle! I've won! The people- the people have chosen me, not you!"

"I have no concern for whom the people have chosen." FB.

Grobber holds the folder away from himself and flips it open to the first page. "I'm... I'm gonna read it! I'm going to!"

The first few pages are the summary Grobber has already read.

"...I-It's your last chance to stop me! I-I'm gonna do it!"

"What is it you’re attempting to get out of me? We both know I cannot stop you from reading it. I can simply recommend you not." FB. (edited)

He closes the folder again and holds it to his chest. "...Why?" (edited)

"Oh come on, he’s obviously stalling you." Ehn.

"..."

2:55 PM

"Are you still here? Are you listening?"

"I don’t want you to see it. It’s quite simple." FB. "And who cares what you want?" Ehn.

"...I... I'm..."

2:56 PM

Grobber swallows.

2:57 PM

"It wasn't... it wasn't years, or even months... it was... it was ten days."

"What does that even mean?" Ehn.

"...After my parents died."

2:58 PM

"I..."

2:59 PM

"I-I didn't even... I didn't even want to take a break." He slumps against the wall, and lowers himself to a sitting position.

2:59 PM

"I could've... I could've kept on trucking."

2:59 PM

"I'd be an engineer right now. I was... I was so close."

2:59 PM

"But they told me to take a break..."

2:59 PM

"After what had happened... it was only, it was only, the right thing, you know?"

3:00 PM

"...I... was with her-Ophelia... for ten days."

3:00 PM

"...And she was- she was- I can't even describe it."

3:00 PM

"If you think I'm unstable... if you think- if you think I'm miserable... I'm... you should've checked her out."

3:01 PM

"She makes me look like a manic patient... there was... there was sick shit going on in her head."

3:01 PM

"Smiling all the time."

3:01 PM

"ALL the time."

3:01 PM

"But there was... there was something terrible inside of her. It.."

3:02 PM

"Next to her, I'm a joke. She's still out there, definitely. Making me look tiny in comparison. Even like I am right now... I'm... tiny, compared to her."

3:02 PM

"I had to leave... she was making me... she was making me so miserable."

3:02 PM

"...And when I left, I... I... I went home, right? I... I didn't.

3:03 PM

I didn't want to go back to where I was staying. I... I didn't want them to know... that I was done... because I wasn't."

3:03 PM

"And when I went home... I couldn't... I couldn't leave, right?" He takes a long swig from his concoction.

3:03 PM

"...I... it was so good."

3:03 PM

"It was so good."

3:04 PM

"You- you can't blame me, for how it all turned out, right?"

3:04 PM

"You can't blame me!"

3:04 PM

"R-right?"

"No one can be blamed for anything. That was the goal of the project." FB. "Yeah, okay. Whatever. Fungus look at the plot documents." Ehn. (edited)

He tries so desperately to get angry, but he can't. "...Nobody else... nobody else cared either. It's... it's okay. Not TAP. Not Grace. Not Dana... it's okay. It's not even the story, not even the words I use to tell people... it's me. I'm... I'm the common denominator. No matter who cares about The Fungus... none of them care about Grobber Brentwood. I knew it back then, too. And I wanted to punish them. Punish them for ignoring me... I... I wanted to. But... I can't." "I-I'm sorry. I'm s-s-so sorry. I'll. I'll read your papers." He opens the folder and flips to the next section of the report. (edited)

The 3 test subjects provided the name of Ehn: Elizabeth Bachman. Hav Kerloe. Nathan Smith. After Josh Maoziwam sustained severe injuries and brain damage in a car crash, he was additionally administered into the project and quickly became an outside subject under the identity of Hav Kerloe. He is too be constantly monitored by Jeff Johnner in case of irregularities and to ensure his life is as happy as his father would like. Nathan Smith moved onto this same next phase of the project under the identity of Bob Smith. He is to be monitored by Jackson Day and his Team Nine and wear a suit to hide his appearance outside. Elizabeth Bachman died from a case of surgical malpractice at the hands of FB. Hav Kerloe is currently the only subject remaining in the lab. Tests performed with him have been successful. Permanent identity undecided.

Grobber continues reading the report.

Project scrapped after the Elizabeth Bachman incident. Shuichi Maoziwam deemed the brain surgery too dangerous and many TAP members were arrested. Everything from Project EHN is to destroyed along with the laboratory after Shuichi’s death.

3:21 PM

That’s the end of the file.

Grobber looks at Ehn and shakes his head. "what. I don't care."

"Huh. I really expected him to come out as soon as you got to the Elizabeth part. Coward." Ehn. "I am not an easily provokable man. Even towards inexplicably magical creatures." FB.

"...Why did you bring me here?"

"Huh? What happened to you deciding everything?" Ehn smirks. This woman suddenly lunges at Fungus with a knife. "So it's you, huh?"

Grobber tries to get out of the way. "WHO THE-WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?"

"I'm EL! Evil incarnate!" EL keeps attacking him. "EL. Let him go." FB. ((Roll))

4. "I know you! You're... you're part of TAP! They're my friends!"

Grobber is pinned down by EL. "I'm not part of anyone! Now that Shuichi's dead... I'm the king- No, queen of the whole board!" She laughs maniacally. "I'm gonna go down as the most hated person in history!" "EL, it's not worth it to kill him." FB.

"Shuichi's... dead? I killed him? I... Wow... it's... it's so fast..." He has trouble breathing.

"No, you idiot! I killed him!" EL.

"Don't kill me... don't kill me! I'm sorry! I'll do anything! I didn't mean it... please don't kill me!" He's crying, and he starts to piss his pants.

A bookshelf slides off the wall, revealing a secret door. EL looks up at it in alarm.

"I'm sorry! I should've saved Sophie! I do-didn't know! I should've helped Grace! I didn't mean it! I'll do better I promise!" He doesn't notice.

"EL. Put the knife down. You're not in charge yet." FB steps out of the secret door.

Grobber, with his pants full of piss and shit, tilts his head up, and seeing Fritz, opens his eyes wide in fear. "No... no... it's not..." He crawls back away from Fritz.

EL moves away from Grobber. "He's tearing apart my new army!" She desperately pleads to Fritz. "Hm...Yes, that may be accurate. Can you calm the storm, Grobber?" Fritz turned to him. "I'm afraid you're disrupting my retirement."

His teeth chatter. "Y-y-you're not... you're not... it's all of it! All of it! I'm... I'm just trying t-to... I... No! You Can't be all of this! This is what I'm... I can't!"

"I'm afraid I don't follow Grobber. Are you disappointed in my role? That's unsurprising. I didn't wish for you to ever meet me like this. However I will remind you of some simple advice. I am who I am. I had no choice in the matter." Fritz.

"The people. They-they've always wanted this." He backs himself into a wall, and begins to stand up. "I'm... I'm the spark. At BEST. Nobody can undo what's happening. Me least of all."

"So no matter what... You won't abandon the Fungus?" Fritz.

"The contents of my head and my heart mean nothing. The Fungus is real. It has to be real. Even if I ignore it, it's just... delaying the inevitable. I'm going back into the house."

Fritz sighs. "No... Come with me. Please."

Grobber keeps his eyes fixed on Fritz. He won't let Fritz get out of his field of vision. "Okay."

4:00 PM

He follows Fritz.

Fritz motions for him to enter the secret door.

Grobber does.

"Goodbye, Fungus!" Ehn runs off. Fritz follows him. It leads down a spiralling staircase.

Grobber turns around to Fritz, watching him, as he holds the staircase railing and walks down it backwards.

He keeps walking down as well. "...Do you plan to walk in silence?"

"I'm scared."

"Why?"

He doesn't answer, and is silent for a few moments. "...Fritz... what did you have for breakfast today? H-heh."

"My breakfast?"

"What you ate... this morning."

"Hm... An egg, I believe. Why do you ask?"

"Haha, cool. Your eggs are great. It's the kind of perfection, you know, that there are no shortcuts for. You just have to wake up every day and do it."

"I don't believe in perfection."

"...Well, your eggs were perfect enough for me, at least."

"...Well, that's who they were made for, weren't they?"

"Yeah." A faint smile creeps onto his lips. "It's nice, you know. I feel like no matter how much I practiced at making eggs, they would never taste as good as the ones I had that day."

"Naturally. Skill is rarely a matter of training. And even when it is... It must only come if it's meant to be. Human desire is never a power strong enough to achieve anything. If I could control my life... I doubt I'd have ever been a surgeon, you know?

"One human isn't enough to do anything, but all human desire... it's the most powerful force in the world, Fritz."

"If that were true… Then Project EHN would certainly be an unstoppable element, no? But… no. That is not true. All human desire already has a common aim, yet it has not been achieved. An unstoppable innate desire for self-destruction."

"...The difficulty is our finiteness, and our inability to collaborate with each other. If it was only one person, or if humans lived forever, we would've all been destroyed long, long ago."

They reach the bottom of the staircase. There’s just a door at the end.

Grobber looks at Fritz, his lips pursed.

"But, you know…" He turned around. "However hypocritical it may be, I truly am glad you enjoyed the eggs."

"That's the beauty, you know? As humans destroy each other, there are sometimes happy accidents that make the whole thing worth it. I'm glad we could have an accident."

4:46 PM

Grobber goes through the door.

Bang ((The end.))